Business Fleethttp://www.businessfleet.comBusiness Fleet. Managing 10-50 company vehicles.en-ushttp://www.businessfleet.comhttp://www.businessfleet.com/images/design/logo_rss.gifBusiness Fleet15040Business Fleet. Managing 10-50 company vehicles.Copyright (c) 2018 Business Fleet. All Rights Reserved.Mon, 19 Mar 2018 08:14:28 PDTUpward Pressure on Fleet Costs Threatens to Increase TCOhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/-4zLqm1yzI8/upward-pressure-on-fleet-costs-threatens-to-increase-tco.aspxMike AntichFri, 16 Mar 2018 14:54:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/03/upward-pressure-on-fleet-costs-threatens-to-increase-tco.aspxThe conclusion calendar-year 2017 marked the fifth consecutive year that overall fleet costs remained stable, despite fuel prices starting to increase, which next to depreciation is the second largest fleet expense category. From 2012 to 2016, stable fuel prices have helped to offset inflationary pressures fleets have been experiencing in a number of areas ranging from maintenance labor costs to price increases for replacement tires driven by higher commodity prices.

Recently, I conducted a survey of several hundred fleet managers to identify emerging industry trends. One recurrent theme expressed by fleet managers was the concern that fleet costs are starting to experience upward pricing pressures. “Costs are on the rise – raw material pricing is affecting tire pricing, fuel pricing is on the rise, as well as interest rates. How do we mitigate what might appear to be uncontrollable expenses,” said Brenda Davis, strategic sourcing commodity manager at Baker Hughes, a GE company.

These inflationary forces are being felt in a variety of areas, ranging from higher vehicle acquisition to compensate for the proliferation of onboard safety equipment, to increased material costs being passed on to end-users in higher pricing for replacement parts and upfits. Below are other commonly cited cost pressures,

More Fleet Transaction Fees: One cost factor challenging fleets is the increase in fleet transaction fees. “Many FMCs are using third-party vendors to manage certain programs, such as tolls, registrations, and MVRs, whose additional transaction fees get passed on to customers,” said Brett Switzky, fleet, trucking, & records retention manager for American Family Mutual Insurance.

Higher Replacement Tire Costs: The primary factor putting upward pressure on tire costs is the increase in raw material costs. The cost of commodities used to manufacture tires, such as the price of oil and rubber, continue to be the key factors driving the price of replacement tires for passenger cars. “Like-for-like replacement tire prices for passenger cars increased 5-10% in calendar-year 2017 compared to CY-2016. We could see another 5-10% increase in 2018 if raw materials continue to increase at the same rate as they did in 2017,” said Chad Christensen, senior strategic consultant for Element Fleet Management.

Increased Cost of Replacement Parts. Higher commodity prices are causing the price of replacement parts to increase. Also, individual parts are increasingly being aggregated into more expensive modules. For instance, fuel pumps, which used to be replaced as an individual item, are now part of an entire module. Another example is wheel bearings and replacement seals, which used to be replaced individually, are now are part of an entire wheel-hub assembly complete with electronics and sensors.

Increase in Repair Costs: Vehicle complexity is increasing the cost to repair an accident-damaged vehicle. When a vehicle sustains damage in an accident, the additional amount of electronics and components in a vehicle drives repairs up dramatically. “In addition, with the demands for increased fuel-efficiency and safety, vehicles have become lighter, thus more susceptible to additional damages. Add the safety components, such as airbags, sensors, and additional structural supports, the cost adds thousands of dollars to the repair costs. How does a fleet manager go to management with cost projections that are uncontrollable?” said Bob Martines, president and CEO of Corporate Claims Management.

Higher Labor Rates: During calendar-year 2017, maintenance expenses increased year-over-year compared to CY-2016. “The increase in maintenance expenses was primarily driven by a 5-7% increase in labor rates and parts costs,” said Christensen. Labor rates are increasing in high-cost-of-living metro areas. In addition, the shortages of service technicians is forcing providers to offer market-competitive wages to both attract and retain talent.

Acquisition Costs: Upfront acquisition costs are steadily increasing due to increased vehicle content, such as vehicle safety packages. “Whether its safety related, comfort, or new fuel-savings technology, they are causing costs to increase,” said Switzky.

Shift to More Expensive Synthetic Motor Oil: Preventive maintenance costs have been increasing as OEMs recommend more expensive, but longer-lasting, synthetic motor oils. The proliferation of smaller displacement engines in fleet applications is causing the shift to synthetic oil because it provides 50% better engine protection, maximizing engine life. “Changes in manufacturer requirements for oil specs are driving up the cost of preventive maintenance,” said Mark Lange, CAFM, managed maintenance consultant for Element Fleet Management.

Death by a Thousand Cuts: Many taxes that impact fleets are small, but add up. Taxes vary nationwide because there is no uniformity between states or even within a state. Governmental jurisdictions look for ways to generate more revenues through motor vehicle-related taxes, such as higher registration fees, additional taxes on tires and batteries, and environmental fees and surcharges. In addition, there is the on-again, off-again movement by states from a sales tax to a rental tax for leased vehicles and the “double-dipping” taxation that occurs when vehicles are transferred between states without any prorated rebate provision.

Controlling the Uncontrollable

Procurement studies reveal that 20% or more of total corporate spend is for purchases that could have been acquired at a lower cost. A key contributor to this inefficient spend is rogue spending, which is defined as not following corporate procurement policies when acquiring goods or services, such as making unauthorized purchases or buying from higher priced non-preferred suppliers instead of negotiated price discounts from preferred suppliers.

However, many costs are outside of our control and it is in times like these that fleet managers prove their mettle. When uncontrollable market forces drive up fleet cost, it takes the expertise of an in-house fleet manager to mitigate their financial impact. This requires a laser focus on developing creative cost-control strategies to ensure fleet operations continues to efficiently fulfill its corporate mission.

]]>Recently, I conducted a survey of several hundred fleet managers to identify emerging industry trends. One recurrent theme expressed by fleet managers was the concern that fleet costs are starting to experience upward pricing pressures. Here's what they told me.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/03/upward-pressure-on-fleet-costs-threatens-to-increase-tco.aspxFord Gives Glimpse Into 2020 Lineuphttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/pc_y2G06ll0/ford-unveils-2020-refresh-plan.aspxThu, 15 Mar 2018 12:00:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/ford-unveils-2020-refresh-plan.aspx

Ford is refreshing its vehicle lineup for 2020 with bigger bets on electrification, utility vehicles, and advanced driver-assisting technology, the company's top executives told journalists at a briefing today in Dearborn, Mich.

"Our passion for great vehicles is stronger than ever," said Jim Hackett, Ford's president and chief executive. "This showroom transformation will thrill customers, drive profitable growth, and further build toward our future of smart vehicles in a smart world."

Ford will also offer new features to commercial buyers, including a hybrid F-150 with an onboard generator for construction fleets, and is readying a next-generation Transit full-size van. Ford executives discussed ways the company is improving its design and production so vehicles reach the marketplace faster.

Ford will be introducing four new nameplates by 2020, including its 2019 Ranger midsize pickup, Bronco off-road utility and off-road compact SUV. The fourth vehicle, a battery-electric compact SUV, will be announced at a later time. Ford will also offer new-generation models of its Explorer and Escape SUVs.

Ford first showed its 2019 Ranger at the Detroit auto show earlier this year. The pickup will go on sale in January. Ford will refresh the Fusion mid-size sedan for the 2019 model year.

Additionally, the Lincoln division will release two new SUVs by 2020, including the Aviator that will debut at the New York International Auto Show later this month.

Ford plans to offer new electrified models, including a hybrid F-150 that will debut in 2020. Ford will offer gasoline-electric hybrids as well as plug-in hybrids on Ford's SUVs and vans.

Driver-assisting technology will come into play in a broader way with Ford Co-Pilot360 — a suite of five standard features across the lineup that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind spot information system, a lane keeping system, backup camera, and automatic high beams.

Ford will also roll out onboard 4G LTE Wi-Fi as standard equipment by the end of 2019. There are now 1 million Ford vehicles on the road with this feature.

]]>Ford is refreshing its vehicle lineup for 2020 with bigger bets on electrification, utility vehicles, and advanced driver-assisting technology, the company's top executives told journalists at a briefing today in Dearborn, Mich.Ford plans to offer hybrid versions of its F-150 and Explorer by 2020. Photo courtesy of Ford.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/ford-unveils-2020-refresh-plan.aspxTrends Moving the Truck Markethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/-i7lGEkV3k8/trends-moving-the-truck-market.aspxChris BrownWed, 14 Mar 2018 16:45:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/03/trends-moving-the-truck-market.aspx

A testament to a robust economy, the steady incline of Class 4 to 6 truck sales, and a continuing onslaught of new products and services, NTEA’s Work Truck Show has become an annual pilgrimage for equipment makers, technology providers, chassis manufacturers, upfitters, OEMs, and fleets. With roots in equipment spec’ing, the show has evolved to include major truck launches — this year’s announcements of General Motors’ reentry into medium duty and Hino’s first North American foray into Class 8 couldn’t get any bigger.

Thus the Work Truck Show is a worthy weather vane of the truck market. Certainly, there are many more trend lines than one editor could gather or would fit reasonably in these confines.

The winds have been blowing away from compressed natural gas (CNG) for a few years now, as witnessed by the lack of CNG-specific exhibitors in the Productivity and Fuels Pavilion. Some players, such as Venchurs Vehicle Systems, still serve the existing market but are using their facilities for custom fleet upfitting and conversions.

Meanwhile, with a low cost of entry and low cost of fuel, propane autogas is the little alt-fuel engine that could. Though the overall market size of propane-powered units is still south of 200,000, market leader Roush CleanTech saw a 60% increase in orders in 2017. Roush is now concentrating on Class 4 to 6, says Todd Mouw, the company’s recently appointed president. Why? “Folks have little reason to move from gas, but they’re motivated to move away from diesel,” Mouw said.

This was backed up by conversations with two government fleet managers who said their biggest job challenges are dealing with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and diesel maintenance in general. (And finding qualified fleet mechanics.)

Biodiesel proponents say that the alt-fuel may never be “sexy,” as it doesn’t require any engine modifications, but will continue to grow, particularly as states mandate its use as a blend. In May 2018, all diesel fuel from pumps in Minnesota will contain 20% biodiesel (B20). “That will be a good test case for other states’ initiatives,” said Cody Graham, communications for the National Biodiesel Board.

Electrification has grown exponentially in passenger cars, and “mild” hybridization with start-stop technology has bled into the work truck market, giving updated models such as the 2019 Ford Transit Connect and Ram 1500 Tradesman a torque boost with better fuel economy.

Product is coming online, but cost is still a barrier — an aftermarket electrification system on a $40,000 Ford Transit could cost $80,000. The market is concentrated in New York, Chicago, and mostly California, due to generous grants such as the ones available through CalStart’s HVIP program. As a rule of thumb, the grants pay 80% of the electrification premium; the customer pays 20%.

On the Class 8 front — Elon Musk’s recent on-road test notwithstanding — many are challenging the intended production start in 2019 of the all-electric Tesla Semi.

Active safety features are also migrating from cars to trucks, moving beyond backup cameras and audible warnings, and they’re becoming standard. Show attendees donned virtual reality headsets to experience how the 2019 Ford Transit Connect brakes for you in an emergency.

On-site connectivity is becoming a “must have” in the form of in-cab 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots, as mobile workers press for increased productivity and response time.

The test provides a window into the future of fleet management — the goal is to integrate artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and virtual agents to improve fleet efficiencies, said Don Woods, ARI’s director of client information services.

Though we’ve been tracking vehicles with GPS for a generation, we’re still scraping the surface of the benefits of connectivity and big data in work trucks. “It’s mandatory for a fleet operator to track these three major pillars: safety, efficiency, productivity,” said Dave Sauer of Ram, which announced a telematics partnership with Verizon.

We’re finally getting to the point where fleets can not only order telematics from the factory as just another option; they can connect multiple makes and models. The technology is not yet open source, however, as you’ll still need to connect through a single provider. The main player is Verizon Connect (née Verizon Telematics), which has agreements with 16 OEMs — and counting — for factory-installed telematics.

Verizon is specifically moving beyond the word “telematics,” because we’re moving toward a holistic view of productivity that joins mobile workers, dispatching, vehicle data, and workflow with customer profiles. Have you heard of the new C-suite title, Chief Revenue Officer? Fleet management is becoming an intrinsic part of the profitability pie.

]]>Storylines that emerged from the 2018 Work Truck Show include the increasing need for on-site productivity, inclusion of active safety systems in trucks, DPF frustrations affecting product decisions, data management, and the growing link between fleet management and company revenue.The announcement of the new Hino XL, Hino&#39;s first entry into the North American Class 8 market, was the Work Truck Show&#39;s largest press conference to date. (Photo by Chris Brown)http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/03/trends-moving-the-truck-market.aspxELD Rule: Three Paths to Compliancehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/ia2J-X6wzx8/eld-rule-three-paths-to-compliance.aspxDaryl LubinskyWed, 14 Mar 2018 14:32:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/article/story/2018/03/eld-rule-three-paths-to-compliance.aspx

Years in the making, the electronic logging device (ELD) regulation — which requires the transition from paper to electronic logs to comply with hours-of-service (HOS) and records of duty status regulations — is finally in practice. For many small fleets, especially those for which fleet duties comprise only a portion of their job functions, the path to compliance has been an ongoing challenge.

Driver acceptance was one issue for Hi-Lite Airfield Services LLC, a nationwide airfield maintenance contractor. “In this day and age, people don’t like change,” says Desirae Woodside, DOT clerk for Hi-Lite who oversees the company’s 55 trucks.

Woodside adds that the change was especially challenging for several older drivers, some who still used flip phones. Some of those drivers mentioned that they might let their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) expire and choose a different profession because of the change. So what is the status of those Hi-Lite drivers today?

“Well, we didn’t have anyone turn in their CDL,” Woodside says, adding that one elderly holdout now appreciates being able to go home sooner due to reduced paperwork.

The company’s ELD vendor, Gorilla Safety, held training sessions and worked closely with the drivers to get them comfortable with the system. Woodside says that made a big difference with the drivers.

Geotechnology, Inc. has also been working collaboratively with its ELD vendor to meet the challenges of compliance.

Jim Howe is vice president, exploration, for the St. Louis-based engineering and environmental services company. Howe oversees about 45 vehicles that use the Geotab Drive ELD system, along with 95 other vehicles that are exempt from ELD mandates. The company had used an automatic onboard recording (AOBR) device system since 2013, but Geotechnology phased it out in favor of Geotab Drive soon after the ELD rule came into play.

Geotechnology’s transition from paper logs to AOBR was unrelated to the ELD mandate, but when company officials learned around 2015 that the ELD mandate was imminent, they decided to transition to Geotab Drive.

Through its relationship with Enterprise Fleet Management, the business had already implemented Geotab’s telematics system in a portion of its fleet — and was receiving other benefits from telematics, such as analyzing engine malfunctions and evaluating driving habits. “Safety and how vehicles are behaving in public view, those are huge things in our market,” Howe says.

Technology products company Toshiba had a similar experience working with its ELD provider, FleetUp, to comply with the ELD mandate. Steve Tungate, Toshiba vice president and general manager of service, supply chain and innovation, chose the system to “comply with DOT (regulations) and our policies, and for the cost benefit of the solution itself.”

He explained that the company drivers are computer technicians who “also put on a driver hat.” He wanted an ELD product that “was easy to install, easy to use, and easy to monitor.”

A look at these three companies provides a sample of how small fleets have gone about choosing and implementing ELD products, instructing drivers, and dealing with enforcement and other issues in integrating compliance into their business processes.

Choosing an ELD Provider

Woodside of Hi-Lite Airfield Services worked with an internal committee formed for the purpose of choosing an ELD system. The committee talked to about 15 ELD suppliers and narrowed it down to three after about a month and a half before deciding on Gorilla Safety. One concern was longtime viability of the ELD suppliers. “Some of these small companies can go broke,” she says.

In choosing an ELD vendor, the committee wanted a reasonable price, a company that would treat Hi-Lite as well as it treated its bigger customers, and one that worked well with Hi-Lite’s duties of moving vehicles around airports. Committee members looked for “portability, customer service, and price,” she says.

Hi-Lite’s business necessitated a particularly tricky HOS need to be fulfilled by its vendor — to not only capture highway miles, but also operation of trucks when they’re striping runways. Gorilla Safety worked with Hi-Lite, Woodside says, to identify those striping applications as “yard moves” that don’t count toward driving time.

Howe of Geotechnology says his company chose Geotab Drive partly because of its low entry cost, incentives on the hardware, and his company’s existing relationship with Enterprise Fleet Management. “It made for a comfortable situation,” Howe says. “I had an ally in this negotiation if I didn’t get something I was expecting.”

For Howe, ongoing system support and updates are essential. Geotechnology’s business is able to take advantage of a specific HOS exemption for water well drilling, and Howe is working with Geotab to build that functionality into the Geotab system. “I want (a system) that’s going to change as the technology and the regulations change,” he says.

Geotab Drive also handles fuel tax reporting. “That can be a very onerous task for our drivers and our supervisors and accounting people,” he says. “We like the electronic solution to minimize that.”

In addition to compliance, Toshiba chose FleetUp to take advantage of its fleet management services platform and because the company developed a good working relationship with one of FleetUp’s regional sales managers.

“Six months before the ELD mandate, I became a very popular guy,” says Tungate, regarding the flood of contact from ELD providers. While he had made contact with FleetUp early on, Tungate did a side-by-side analysis of other solutions as they came to him.

Another deciding factor was that other providers couldn’t commit to getting the devices into the Toshiba fleet in a reasonable time to meet the deadline, Tungate says.

Implementing ELDs into Your Fleet

For Geotechnology, system implementation and training have been smooth. With familiarity of the previous AOBR system, drivers were familiar with the language, Howe says, and found the new system easier to use and understand. Training for the four offices took less than two weeks, compared to six months for the old system.

“There’s always supervision and follow-up and coaching guys who may not be getting it the way they need to, but we were up and running pretty quickly this time,” Howe says.

Geotechnology drivers access the Geotab Drive system through a 7-inch tablet inside their vehicles. The driver can log in, log out, and do pre-trip and post-trip inspections using their smart phones if they wish, but the company relies on the tablet to serve as the vehicle’s record of operation. The user interface is intuitive, providing easy interaction for drivers, Howe says.

Woodside is still getting used to the change in auditing electronic logbooks compared to paper, where she would lay out the books in front of her. “I had my routine, and my routine doesn’t work anymore,” she says. “But it will get easier.”

Further, if the drivers send in a digitally signed log book and then realize they have made a mistake, FMCSA rules require that only an administrator can correct the change.

Toshiba held several webinars and conference calls with drivers and managers leading up to the December deadline for the new rule. FleetUp sent instructions to those employees and set them up with the system.

During implementation, Toshiba’s focus was to ensure that the tool was user friendly. Some Toshiba drivers started with applications on cell phones and then migrated to mounted tablets, while others kept the cell phone app, Tungate says.

Tungate expected driver pushback against complying with the rule, but he did not see much. Some managers and drivers thought the system would have too much of a “big brother” feel to it, but they actually appreciated it, he says. In fact, in some Toshiba markets, teams are now sharing best practices with each other.

Toshiba is also using the ELD system as a method to track and manage its vehicle inspection checks, monitor driver behavior, and identify areas in which it can improve fuel economy or use assets more efficiently.

“From a corporate perspective, we like it because we get to see everything,” Tungate says. “We get to see assets that are not utilized potentially as much as they should be, and we get to see assets that are being well-used to help us in our overall fleet management processes.”

After installation of the system, Tungate sees his role as being an auditor of compliance, from a driver perspective and also of the FleetUp system. “We’re simply providing (drivers) the tools to help them complete their duties,” he says.

The mandate created a sense of urgency for Toshiba to review various fleet processes, Tungate says, and to look into the wider benefits of a telematics system. “We agreed if we’re going to go this route, we might as well get everything we want.”

Working Together to Stay Compliant

As of early February, only two Geotechnology drivers had gone through full Department of Transportation (DOT) inspections, and both passed. One new driver was warned for not meeting the requirement to have seven blank paper logs with him. The driver drove down the road and picked up the new forms.

With so many available compliance solutions and a few methods to comply, fleet operators are finding that inspectors are going through their own learning curve. Woodside says that while drivers are putting the system to practice on the road, they need to be patient with enforcement officers as well. “It’s going to take all of us working together,” she says.

Shannon McLeroy, COO of Gorilla Safety, has conducted ELD seminars for DOT officers and has also accompanied clients during inspections. The education can be granular: Some officers asked drivers to print out loss forms, not knowing that the FMCSA accepts emailed forms. “The biggest key has been education on both sides,” he says.

During this learning process, the FMCSA has given fleets a reprieve until April 1, 2018. Until that point, violators would not be put out of service, nor would violations affect their CSA scores.

Switching from paper to electronic logs was the hardest part of the transition, McLeroy says, but a needed one.

The ELD rule was implemented to mitigate the gray areas that allowed drivers to work more hours than they should, drive with less-than-adequate rest, and cause accidents. McLeroy predicts early data on the new rule will show a reduction in accidents and fatalities as a result of eliminating the gray areas.

With electronic logs, “There are no gray areas anymore,” he says. “It’s all black and white.”

]]>Three small fleets share their methods to choose and implement electronic logging device (ELD) systems, integrate electronic compliance into their business processes, instruct drivers, and manage enforcement under the new rules.Hi-Lite Airfield Services LLC, an airport pavement markings, runway rubber removal, and airfield maintenance contractor, had a specific compliance need from its ELD system &amp;mdash; to understand trucks&amp;rsquo; runway work for the purposes of calculating hours of service. (Photo courtesy of HiLite)http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/article/story/2018/03/eld-rule-three-paths-to-compliance.aspxRam ProMaster City Recalled for Steering Gear Housinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/U-R4onMOmos/ram-promaster-recalled-for-steering-gear-housing.aspxWed, 14 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/03/ram-promaster-recalled-for-steering-gear-housing.aspx

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling approximately 224 2018 Ram ProMaster City compact vans because the gears within the hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering system may have a casting defect that can potentially fracture and lead to a loss of hydraulic steering fluid.

In the case of a hydraulic steering fluid leak, sudden steering effort may be required on the part of a driver, increasing the possibility of a crash.

To remedy the problem, Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear housing, replacing any affected rack-and-pinion assembly, at no cost to owners.

The recall begins April 25. Vehicle owners can reach FCA customer service at (800) 853-1403. FCA's reference number for this recall is U23.

]]>Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling approximately 224 2018 Ram ProMaster City compact vans because the gears within the hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering system may have a casting defect that can potentially fracture and lead to a loss of hydraulic steering fluid.Photo of 2018 Ram ProMaster City Tradesman courtesy of FCA.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/03/ram-promaster-recalled-for-steering-gear-housing.aspxFleet Forward Conference Announces Call for Speakershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/z1UsKqqjTEg/fleet-forward-conference-announces-call-for-speaker-proposals.aspxWed, 14 Mar 2018 06:00:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/fleet-forward-conference-announces-call-for-speaker-proposals.aspx

Are you interested in speaking at the 2018 Fleet Forward Conference?

Bobit Business Media, parent company of this publication and a major business-to-business media company serving the fleet industry, is in the process of curating the educational program for the 2018 Fleet Forward Conference, taking place Oct. 8-10 in San Francisco.

Speaker proposals should address the Fleet Forward Conference mandate to educate fleet operators on new mobility solutions to foster greater fleet efficiency. While Fleet Forward is designed for traditional fleet operators of all types, the conference looks for educational content that will also benefit new types of fleets forming to serve the evolving transportation ecosystem.

If you consider yourself to be an expert on a particular topic that addresses this spirit and would like to share your wisdom, you're invited to submit an abstract for consideration. The Call for Proposals submission deadline is Monday, April 30, 2018.

Using what SmartDrive calls single-box architecture, the new platform allows for the convergence of data, devices (including third-party devices) and network connectivity, allowing a fleet to view all of its data in a single location. The SR4 hardware can now support up to nine cameras, including four SmartDrive cameras, four third-party cameras, and integration with Wabco’s next generation OnLane lane departure warning system as the road-facing camera.

The system was designed to anticipate new challenges for fleet safety, including increased automation, more driver distractions, and new security threats to data and privacy. The platform will support data from many sources, such as third-party telematics software and hardware. It uses this data to give fleets better analytics and risk assessment capabilities. Updated sensors and software enable more precise triggering for non-collision events.

Smaller, More Capable Hardware

SmartDrive’s SR4 hardware has been redesigned from previous generations, including smaller HD video cameras, a separate sensor bar, a controller device to tie all systems together, and new algorithms and advanced driver assistance capabilities. The SR4 hardware is more than 50% smaller than previous iterations to reduce the distraction to the driver, says SmartDrive, especially for dash- and windshield-mounted equipment. Installation has been made simpler.

New SmartSense ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) sensors offer in-cab alerting for short-following, forward-collision and lane-departure warning; and new posted speed detection identifies high risks and enables drivers to react in real time. Ports enable data integration and triggering from other on-board systems, amplifying the value of previous technology investments and delivering a more complete view of risk. Current SmartDrive customers can also leverage both new and pre-existing hardware.

“The transportation industry has seen a trend of devices getting larger as they add more advanced capabilities, whereas tech innovation demands that hardware become smaller and sleeker while delivering more power and functionality,” said Mitgang. “The SR4 meets these expectations by delivering unprecedented compute power, seamless integration with third-party systems and the most advanced risk assessment capabilities — all within a discreet footprint.”

Connectivity Features

Also included in the SR4 hardware is a purpose-built controller unit featuring intelligent monitoring and recording functions, expandable solid-state storage and 4G/LTE and Bluetooth communication capabilities.

The system also features a wireless key fob for the driver or driver trainer to manually trigger video recording. This can be used to record events that may not automatically cause a recording or to record segments for later use in training. Drivers are also given a keypad with a unique ID code to disable cameras that face into the cab during off hours for more privacy. The cameras will automatically re-engage once the vehicle begins moving.

The system also features a mobile app for Android devices that provides an overview of events in the field and can be used to check and adjust cameras or perform troubleshooting on the system in the field.

Extended recording is available with options for 128, 256 and 512GB of solid-state memory, good for storing up to 800 hours of recording from two cameras. The extended video service is available as an option with the multi-camera deployment. It is designed to capture more context for events and from non-collision related activities related to fleet safety policy, procedure, compliance, and security.

The SmartDrive Transportation Intelligence Platform and SR4 hardware is currently available. It was presented to fleets late last year and adopted by companies such as Forward Air, Oakley Transport, Arctic Glacier, Clariant Oil Services, Combined Transport, Schilli Corp., and Superior Paving. SmartDrive solutions are available for a wide variety of fleets in different applications, including commercial trucking, refuse, construction, government, distribution, and utilities.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced on March 13 that it is granting an additional 90-day temporary waiver from the electronic logging device rule for “agriculture-related transportation.”

The agency also said that during that time period, it will publish “final guidance” on both the agricultural air-mile exemption within the hours-of-service rule and on the use of the personal conveyance adjustment by all motor carriers operating under the ELD rule.

“We continue to see strong compliance rates across the country that improve weekly, but we are mindful of the unique work our agriculture community does and will use the following 90 days to ensure we publish more helpful guidance that all operators will benefit from,” FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez said in a statement.

According to FMCSA, since December 2017, roadside compliance with the hours of service record-keeping requirements, including the ELD rule, has been “steadily increasing, with roadside compliance reaching a high of 96% in the most recent available data." On top of that, the agency noted, there are more than 330 separate self-certified electronic log devices listed on the FMCSA's registration list.

Full electronic log enforcement rapidly approaching

The agency reiterated that full enforcement of the ELD rule will begin on April 1, 2018.

As of that date, carriers found to not have an ELD when required will be placed out of service. The driver will remain out-of-service for 10 hours in accordance with Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance criteria. FMCSA noted that at that point, “to facilitate compliance, the driver will be allowed to travel to the next scheduled stop and should not be dispatched again without an ELD. If the driver is dispatched again without an ELD, the motor carrier will be subject to further enforcement action.”

The agency added that it is “committed to continuing the ongoing dialogue on these issues" with the various segments of the trucking industry.”

The waiver and upcoming set of guidances have been announced, but they will not be published in the Federal Register right away.

An FMCSA official noted in a March 13 conference call with reporters that the new waiver for ag haulers will be published before the current one expires on March 18.

As for the guidance on ag haulers’ use of air miles and that of personal conveyance by all carriers, a notice on that won’t be published for 60 to 90 days from now, as the agency must sift through all the comments it has received.

Responding to a question from HDT during the call, Joe DeLorenzo, FMCSA's director compliance and enforcement, said the need to release specific guidance on using the personal conveyance mode was due more than anything to general misunderstanding of how it works. Although personal conveyance is not a new rule, it was not formerly officially tracked – until the ELD rule.

"Prior to this rule, [personal conveyance mode] did not exist, so adding it in has raised questions [regarding all types of carriers] that need to be clarified, both for the carriers and especially for law enforcement,” said DeLorenzo.

For more information on the ELD rule posted by the agency, click here.

]]>The FMCSA is granting an additional 90-day temporary waiver from the electronic logging rule for “agriculture-related transportation.” During that time period, the agency says it will also publish "final guidance" on both the agricultural air-mile exemption within the hours of service rule and on the use of the personal conveyance adjustment by all motor carriers operating under the ELD rule.FMCSA is granting an additional 90-day temporary waiver from the ELD rule for &amp;ldquo;agriculture-related transportation.&amp;rdquo; Photo: J.J. Kellerhttp://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/fmcsa-issues-new-90-day-eld-waiver-for-ag-haulers.aspx2018 Fleet Forward Conference Dates, Location Announcedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/GDDRrPnyskE/fleet-forward-conference-announces-2018-dates-and-location.aspxTue, 13 Mar 2018 13:37:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/fleet-forward-conference-announces-2018-dates-and-location.aspxThe 2018 Fleet Forward Conference will take place Oct. 8-10 at The Pearl in San Francisco, Bobit Business Media announced today. The conference will kick off with a reception on the evening of Oct. 8 followed by two full days of high-level education and curated networking.

Fleet Forward Conference is designed to educate fleet operators of all types on new mobility solutions with the goal to create more efficient fleets. “This is an exciting time for fleets, which are playing an increasingly vital role in the transportation revolution,” said Chris Brown, conference chair.

“We’re on the path to autonomous vehicles, but change is occurring rapidly, right now,” Brown continued. “It’s imperative for fleet operators to understand how these changes will affect their fleets and form their fleet strategies now.”

]]>The 2018 Fleet Forward Conference — dedicated to mobility solutions for fleets — will take place Oct. 8-10 at The Pearl in San Francisco.http://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/fleet-forward-conference-announces-2018-dates-and-location.aspxWork Truck Show Names 2018 Innovation Awardshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/9wxk_RDu4hY/work-truck-show-names-2018-innovation-awards.aspxTue, 13 Mar 2018 13:26:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/03/work-truck-show-names-2018-innovation-awards.aspxJudges chose winners for The Work Truck Show 2018 Innovation Awards in three categories at last week’s Show. The Most Innovative Vehicle award went to Workhorse (Loveland, Ohio) for its W-15 electric pickup truck. The Most Innovative Safety Product award was presented to J.W. Speaker Corporation (Germantown, Wis.) for the Model 8910 Evolution 2 LED headlight, and the Most Innovative Truck Equipment honor went to CARR (Temecula, Calif.) for its Factory Step.

Innovation Awards honor the product or products displayed at the Show deemed “most innovative” by a panel of trade media editors and truck fleet managers. This year’s three award recipients were selected from a field of 175 eligible products entered through The Work Truck Show 2018 New Product Spotlight or New Product Media Guide programs.

The Workhorse W-15 is the first plug-in, battery-electric, range-extended pickup available from an American OEM. Based on 12 years of service, it is designed to save 55 percent in total cost of ownership and deliver a 90 percent reduction in emissions versus a gasoline-powered pickup. An integrated Panasonic Li-Ion battery pack delivers up to 80 MPGe all-electric miles, and an onboard two-cycle BMW gasoline engine powers the batteries to extend the range to 300 miles (comparable to the range of a competitively priced gasoline-powered truck). The all-wheel-drive electric vehicle offers a payload of 2,200 pounds and delivers 5,000 pounds of towing capability, with the additional benefit of easily powering plug-in or rechargeable electric tools on the jobsite. Available in 2019, the company says it has received more than 6,000 fleet pre-orders for the mid-range pickup.

The J.W. Speaker Model 8910 Evolution 2 headlight is an LED headlight with a built-in, integrated lens heater to melt snow and ice. It uses SmartHeat technology to sense temperature change and automatically turn the heater on and off. The headlight is equipped with Dual Burn™ technology that combines high and low beam functions to legally provide extra high-beam punch, along with maximum “ditch-to-ditch” foreground illumination. Designed to comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed 5-star rating for safety lighting systems, the Model 8910 Evolution 2 headlight is rugged enough to protect against water infiltration from steam cleaning or high-pressure washing.

CARR’s new Factory Step offers a safer, more efficient and ergonomic entry into and exit from the Ford Transit full-size van. The judges liked this product in part because the van segment of the commercial vehicle industry is growing rapidly, so fleets are looking for more products in this area. The Factory Step offers an exclusive 20-inch-wide perforated step area for solid footing and has a rated weight capacity of 500 pounds. The easily installed heavy-gauge steel Factory Step is powder-coated for superior protection and long life.

]]>The Most Innovative Vehicle award went to Workhorse for its W-15 electric pickup truck, the Most Innovative Safety Product award was presented to J.W. Speaker Corporation for the Model 8910 Evolution 2 LED headlight, and the Most Innovative Truck Equipment honor went to CARR for its Factory Step.Photo of Innovation Award presented to Workhorse courtesy of The Work Truck Show. http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/03/work-truck-show-names-2018-innovation-awards.aspxNissan's 2018 NV Cargo Van in Photoshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/3VuRqt_8rfc/nissan-s-2018-nv-cargo-van.aspxTue, 13 Mar 2018 12:10:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/nissan-s-2018-nv-cargo-van.aspxNissan has added a few enhancements to its NV full-size cargo van for 2018, including a 5-inch color display, hands-free Bluetooth, and a USB port in the cabin. Read more here. Photos by Vince Taroc.

]]>Nissan has added a few enhancements to its NV full-size cargo van for 2018, including a 5-inch color display, hands-free Bluetooth, and a USB port in the cabin. Read more here. Photos by Vince Taroc.Nissan offers its NV Cargo in three models, including NV1500, NV2500HD, and NV3500HD.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/nissan-s-2018-nv-cargo-van.aspxWEX Inc. Introduces Fuel Card for Mixed Fleetshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/nlqjRZrNqBw/wex-inc-introduces-fuel-card-for-mixed-fleets.aspxTue, 13 Mar 2018 10:20:00 PDThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/news/story/2018/03/wex-inc-introduces-fuel-card-for-mixed-fleets.aspx

WEX developed Cross Roads with mixed fleet customers to create one of the first fully closed-loop networks across retail and high-speed diesel locations. The offer combines all the benefits WEX cards are known for — competitive pricing, integrated reporting and convenience, matchless product controls and the largest proprietary network of accepting merchants — plus thousands of added savings made available through the WEX EDGE Savings Network, an asset leveraged from WEX's acquisition of Electronic Funds Source (EFS).

Among those added savings are truck stop fuel discounts that average 15 cents per gallon, as well as special pricing on a myriad of fleet business expenses including tires, office supplies, mobile phone plans and more.

"If your business uses a variety of vehicles — heavy trucks, vans, sedans and other vehicles — we designed Cross Roads for you," said Bernie Kavanagh, senior vice president and general manager of large fleet for WEX. "Gone are the days of using multiple cards for retail fueling and truck stop fueling. Leveraging synergies from our EFS acquisition, WEX is proud to introduce Cross Roads creating a single source for managing all fuel purchases with one system, one account, one card, one invoice and one support team."

Support: WEX U.S.-based customer service reps are fleet-trained and always on call.

Alerts: a daily savings report sent right to your inbox documenting the day's per gallon discount by merchant, to help fleets manage and control expenses.

"We developed Cross Roads as we develop all our solutions: in collaboration with our customers," Kavanagh said. "Mixed-fleets can now use a single card to fuel any vehicle and still get the widest acceptance, most robust controls and best-in-class support they've come to expect from WEX, plus the added benefit of the WEX EDGE Savings Network, creating further value."

Volkswagen is jumping into the SUV pool with both feet for the 2018 model year — first introducing the three-row Atlas, and now bringing out a second, longer Tiguan to sell alongside its existing (now Tiguan Limited) model.

By stretching it out 11 inches to 185.2 inches, Volkswagen was able to add an optional third seating row that's a rarity for the compact SUV segment. The vehicle can now haul seven passengers — along with only the Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Fleet buyers would likely opt for the two-row version — the third-row adds $500 — and the vehicle would still retain appeal for a fleet driver whose vehicle divides time between hauling point-of-sale materials or medical supplies and family on weekends. The front-wheel-drive models all come with the third row.

The Tiguan presents clean lines, especially with its gently sloping hood and front grille that's reminiscent of the Atlas. The vehicle is available in four trim grades, including S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. All models are powered by the 2.0T turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that brings a nice beefiness to the drive. The engine makes 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

Volkswagen is also increasing its warranty coverage for its new SUVs. The Tiguan carries a limited warranty of six years or 72,000 miles.

When equipped with two rows, the Tiguan offers plenty of space for cargo with 37.6 cubic feet when all seats are in use and 73.5 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The cabin has a well-organized layout with appealing dashboard lines and easy-to-find HVAC and audio controls. The S model is equipped with a 6.5-inch screen, while the SE includes a glassy 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available — while CarPlay is an intuitive experience, Android Auto provides a much more limited interface.

The base Tiguan arrives with a modest $350 price increase over the existing model and start at $26,245. Fleets can add the Driver Assistance Package with autonomous braking, pedestrian monitoring, a blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert for $850.

Ranger Design showed its new line of shelving and flooring at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. The company has also introduced an online configurator for its customers.

The new van flooring is a rigid liner that can be fitted to any van. The impact- and puncture-resistent flooring helps create a quieter ride. The Ontario, New York-based equipment manufacturer uses integrated mounting tracks that are flush with the van's floor and allow the installation of a variety of Ranger Design shelving, equipment, and accessories. The flooring doesn't expand when exposed to heat.

The company also introduced a new line of shelving that will enable distributors to get fleets on the road quicker.

Lastly, Ranger Design now offers an online configurator that uses 3-D modeling to help fleets pick the right equipment. It's available for six vans, including Ford's Transit and Transit Connect, Ram's ProMaster and ProMaster City, and the Mercedez-Benz Sprinter and Metris.

]]>Ranger Design showed its new line of shelving and flooring at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. The company has also introduced an online configurator for its customers.Photo of new van flooring courtesy of Ranger Design.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/van/news/story/2018/03/ranger-design-shows-new-shelving-and-flooring-equipment.aspxFord's 2019 Transit Connect Cargo Vanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/CB2bdkoMVFs/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-cargo-van.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 17:36:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-cargo-van.aspxFord's 2019 Transit Connect compact cargo van is adding a diesel engine option, fleet model, and array of driver-assisting features to reduce accidents for commercial users. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2018 Work Truck Show, as you can see in these photos. Read the full story here. Photos by Kim Pham.

]]>Ford's 2019 Transit Connect compact cargo van is adding a diesel engine option, fleet model, and array of driver-assisting features to reduce accidents for commercial users. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2018 Work Truck Show, as you can see in these photos. Read the full story here. Photos by Kim Pham.The 2019 Transit Connect cargo van will offer three engines that can run five fuel types.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-cargo-van.aspxChevrolet's 2019 Silverado Chassis Cab Truckshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/yj_gbfRD1xA/chevrolet-s-2019-chassis-cab-silverado-trucks.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 17:12:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/chevrolet-s-2019-chassis-cab-silverado-trucks.aspxChevrolet is back in the mediuim-duty business, unveiling three 2019 Silverado chassis cab trucks aimed at commercial buyers at the 2018 Work Truck Show. Check out these photos, and read the full story. Photos by Kim Pham and General Motors.

]]>Chevrolet is back in the mediuim-duty business, unveiling three 2019 Silverado&nbsp;chassis cab trucks aimed at commercial buyers at the 2018 Work Truck Show. Check out these photos, and read the full story. Photos by Kim Pham and General Motors.The 2019 Silverado 6500HD is one of three new medium-duty trucks from Chevrolet.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/03/chevrolet-s-2019-chassis-cab-silverado-trucks.aspxRam to Offer 1500 Tradesman for 2019http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/QRSul1y-QGc/ram-to-offer-1500-tradesman-for-2019.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 15:22:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/ram-to-offer-1500-tradesman-for-2019.aspx

Fiat Chrysler will offer a 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman model with its redesign of its top-selling pickup that's aimed at commercial fleets, small businesses, and contractors, the company announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Ram has been selling a 1500 Tradesman since it introduced the vocational half-ton pickup in 2011.

The 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman is available in two cabs — Quad Cab and Crew Cab — and two bed lengths — 6 feet, 4 inches and 5 feet, 7 inches. Buyers will have access to the same engines available in the non-Tradesman model, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with eTorque mild hybrid technology and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The V-8 is also available with eTorque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while 4x4 is optional.

The Ram 1500 has reduced weight by 225 pounds for 2019. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 12,750 pounds and haul up to 2,300 pounds of payload.

]]>Fiat Chrysler will offer a 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman model with its redesign of its top-selling pickup that's aimed at commercial fleets, small businesses, and contractors, the company announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.Photo of 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman courtesy of FCA.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/ram-to-offer-1500-tradesman-for-2019.aspxValvoline Offers Oil for Natural Gas, Diesel, and Gasoline Engineshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/i9bPis7Nnaw/valvoline-engine-oil-for-use-in-natural-gas-diesel-and-gasoline-engines.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 10:24:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/maintenance/news/story/2018/03/valvoline-engine-oil-for-use-in-natural-gas-diesel-and-gasoline-engines.aspx

Valvoline says its new Premium Blue One Solution 9200 is the first engine oil approved for use in natural gas, diesel, and gasoline engines.

“The purpose of Premium Blue One Solution is to dramatically simplify the fill process for fleet managers, enabling one proven product to be used across a number of engine applications,” said David Young, vice president of Valvoline Heavy Duty, in an announcement at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Valvoline Premium Blue One Solution was initially developed as part of Valvoline’s close relationship with Cummins Westport, which has introduced a new series of low-emission natural gas engines.

The resulting engine oil is available in 10W-30 and 15W-40 SAE viscosity grades. Valvoline says it offers excellent oxidation resistance and TBN retention to support long oil life. At the same time, Valvoline says, it offers outstanding wear protection and superior deposit protection compared to industry requirements. And the viscosity shear stability is “amazing,” says Roger England, technical director. As a result, Valvoline says oil drain intervals will be able to be extended.

“While there were previously oils in the marketplace that could be used in diesel and gas engines, there was not one approved across all fuel types – until now,” Young added.

England told HDT that the ability to develop a single oil for the three types of engines was made possible by changes in engine combustion technology. As today’s engines have been designed to be more efficient, he explained, they run hotter and at higher pressures – which present oil challenges similar to those faced by oils for natural gas engines.

Pricing is still being finalized, but the oil will be priced similar to other natural gas oils, which is higher than typical diesel oils.

]]>Valvoline says its new Premium Blue One Solution 9200 is the first engine oil approved for use in natural gas, diesel, and gasoline engines.Valvoline&#39;s Premium Blue One Solution 9200 engine oil is approved for use in natural gas, diesel, and gasoline engines. Image: Valvolinehttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/maintenance/news/story/2018/03/valvoline-engine-oil-for-use-in-natural-gas-diesel-and-gasoline-engines.aspxRam to Offer Verizon Connect-Powered Factory Telematicshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/tTwvwwW3y1s/ram-to-offer-verizon-connect-factory-telematics.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/03/ram-to-offer-verizon-connect-factory-telematics.aspx

Ram Commercial will offer a comprehensive telematics package from Verizon Connect on select Ram commercial vehicles as part of a partnership with the connected vehicle provider announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The solution, Ram Telematics powered by Verizon Connect, is a telematics and mobile workforce management software platform. It will help customers save money, increase driving safety, and improve operations by providing critical information businesses of any size can use to optimize their fleets, according to Verizon Connect.

Ram Telematics powered by Verizon Connect will be available this year on new Ram trucks and can also be installed on select 2015 model year and newer light-duty, heavy-duty and chassis cab trucks. Ram Telematics will also be available on Ram ProMaster and ProMaster City commercial vans later this year.

“Combining a high-quality, reliable Ram truck experience with improved end-customer and employee experience is a game changer for a fleet business of any size,” said Susan Heystee, senior vice president of worldwide OEM sales at Verizon Connect. “This technology can give businesses the tools to make a significant impact on their productivity, efficiency and bottom line.”

]]>Ram Commercial will offer a comprehensive telematics package from Verizon Connect on select Ram commercial vehicles as part of a partnership with the connected vehicle provider announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.Photo courtesy of FCA.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/03/ram-to-offer-verizon-connect-factory-telematics.aspxVerizon Connect Launches Field Service Producthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/9DZoPoYyHvI/verizon-connect-launches-telematics-feature-set.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/03/verizon-connect-launches-telematics-feature-set.aspx

Mobile workforce solutions provider Verizon Connect announced the launch of Workforce, a field service product designed specifically for the needs of fleet managers and fleet-based business owners. Workforce will make its industry debut at the Work Truck Show, which is being held this week in Indianapolis.

Verizon Connect is a new entity that unifies the Verizon Telematics, Fleetmatics, and Telogis brands. With Workforce, the company offers four critical features — intelligent dispatch, commercial navigation, customer ETAs, and strategic planning — on a single, platform, said Shaz Shaukat, Verizon Connect's product management leader and innovator.

"We initially offered each of these features as individual solutions," Shaukat said. "Put together, under one platform, Workforce is a great value for our customers."

The four key components of Workforce include:

Intelligent dispatch: This feature enhances dispatch by including such factors as the driver's skillsets, licenses, and security clearances, as well as vehicular capacity. Taking these criteria into consideration should help fleet managers avoid onsite delays, reducing dispatch times and minimizing the need for follow-up visits.

Commercial navigation: Consumer-grade navigation systems can get drivers from Point A to Point B, but they don't take into account the limitations placed on commercial trucks. Workforce's commercial navigation feature can help drivers avoid restricted roads, low bridges, and truck-specific speed limits. It can also ensure they access each job site from the correct entrance.

Customer ETAs: This feature was designed to allow fleets to keep their customers apprised of each driver's estimated time of arrival, enhancing the customer experience and reducing the need for "check-in" phone calls. Customers can be updated via text or the fleet's customer-facing web portal or mobile app.

Strategic planning: Growing businesses need strategic planning to properly plan for expansions and acquisitions. This feature helps fleets create and compare "what-if" scenarios, adding a new layer of insight to such decisions as locations, resource allocation, and revised service-level agreements.

Workforce is available in three plans designed for applications ranging from simple to enterprise-level, according to the provider.

]]>Mobile workforce solutions provider Verizon Connect announced the launch of Workforce, a new feature set designed specifically for the needs of fleet managers and fleet-based business owners. Workforce will make its industry debut at the Work Truck Show, which is being held this week in Indianapolis.Photo courtesy of Verizon Connect.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/03/verizon-connect-launches-telematics-feature-set.aspxChevrolet Debuts Three Medium-Duty Truckshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/M0It_F1MCic/chevrolet-adds-silverado-6500hd-to-medium-duty-lineup1.aspxWed, 07 Mar 2018 05:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/chevrolet-adds-silverado-6500hd-to-medium-duty-lineup1.aspx

Chevrolet is squarely back in the medium-duty commercial truck market with the unveiling of three Silverado HD chassis cab trucks — the 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD — that expand its commercial lineup and give Chevrolet a greater weight range of vehicles for fleet purchasers. Chevrolet first showed the vehicles at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

"We see a great opportunity for us with this truck," Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet, told Work Truck. "In the six years I've been with General Motors Fleet, this is the single biggest launch we've had happen in our space. This has been a hole in our commercial portfolio, and we are excited to re-enter the market moving all the way up to Class 6."

The trucks will now represent GVWs from 15,000 pounds in Class 4 to 22,900 pounds in Class 6. Chevrolet hasn't offered a medium-duty chassis cab truck since 2009.

This is a "Silverado on steroids," according to the automaker. The trucks will be powered by a standard Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine, which is the only engine available on the Silverado, and mated to a choice of Allison transmissions. The trucks will achieve 350 hp at 700 lb.-ft. of torque. They will be offered in seven wheelbase options, two trims (WT and LT), and a Crew Cab and Regular Cab variant, providing a number of available configurations for vocational fleet needs.

A few special features include tilt hood, which will make maintenance a breeze. Sometimes referred to as a "clamshell" design, the hood is hinged at the front. The truck's hood and fenders all tilt forward nearly 90 degrees, giving the operator or tech full access to the engine compartment.

Another key exterior aspect is in the center bar in the truck's grille. The bow-tie is open, allowing even more airflow into the engine compartment, just like the Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

"On this particular truck, we've looked for as much feedback as possible and done more canvassing of stakeholders within the industry than anything we've ever done," Peper said. "We believe it's going to be a smashing success."

]]>Chevrolet is squarely back in the medium-duty commercial truck market with the unveiling of three Silverado HD chassis cab trucks — the 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD — that expand its commercial lineup and give Chevrolet a greater weight range of vehicles for fleet purchasers. Chevrolet first showed the vehicles at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.The Class 6 Chevy Silverado 6500HD chassis cab is powered by a standard Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine (the only engine available on the Silverado) mated to a choice of Allison transmissions. The trucks will put out 350 hp at 700 lb.-ft. of torque. Photo: David Cullenhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/chevrolet-adds-silverado-6500hd-to-medium-duty-lineup1.aspxChevrolet's 2019 Medium-Duty Truck Triohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/eysMXS1CLqM/chevrolet-re-enters-medium-duty-truck-segment.aspxLauren FletcherWed, 07 Mar 2018 05:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/article/story/2018/03/chevrolet-re-enters-medium-duty-truck-segment.aspx

Chevrolet is coming back to the medium-duty market in a big way. Not only has the automaker launched the 2019-model-year Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD and 5500HD, but it didn't stop there. Hiding in the wings was another truck — the all-new, Class 6 Silverado 6500HD.

"We see a great opportunity for us with this truck. In the six years I've been with General Motors Fleet, this is the single biggest launch we've had happen in our space," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet. "This has been a hole in our commercial portfolio and we are excited to re-enter the market moving all the way up to Class 6."

The trucks will now represent GVWs from 15,000 pounds in Class 4 to 22,900 pounds in Class 6.

Medium-Duty Trucks Build on Silverado Brand

The new 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD medium-duty trucks expand the already trusted lineup and build on the Silverado nameplate.

"We are leveraging the strength of the Silverado name with the new medium-duty lineup," said John Schwegman, U.S. director of commercial product for GM Fleet.

The trucks will appeal to a broad vocational focus encompassing landscaping, towing/wrecker, construction, utility, water and gas, the larger side of plumbing, communication, and rental fleets. The new medium-duty trucks are further increasing the payload available in the Silverado lineup.

"We had a number of customers note that a 19,500-pound GVW is great but some of the gas and utility fleets are maxing out on payload," Schwegman said. "So, we are giving customers an additional 3,000-plus pounds in a Class 6 that isn't as expensive as competitor models."

The new trucks were designed with customers in mind, including upfitting needs.

"The truck features very durable, one-piece straight frame rails. In addition, we use huck bolts to attach crossmembers to the frame versus rivets on top of the frame used on competitor models, which means the top of our frame is clean. In addition, we will be painting the chassis black for corrosion protection," Peper said. "From an upfitter standpoint, we offer several wheelbase and cab-to-axle options — seven on the regular cabs and three on the crew cabs. It's going to be an upfitter's delight."

GM brought in several big upfitters early in the process to ensure they had the voice of the customer front-and-center in the design of the truck.

"The configurations, cab-to-axle offerings, and selection of features were based on meetings with our dealer advisory board," Schwegman added. "We talked to select customers on the wrecker and bucket truck side of the business, as well as a few other industries. We made several modifications based on their input along the way."

According to Peper, the new Silverado trucks will be a great complement to the Chevrolet Low Cab Forward truck, meeting additional fleet needs including access to more rugged terrain.

"The Silverado is a conventional truck. The Low Cab Forward is playing well in more urban, delivery-type settings. Around upward of 80% of the trucks are upfitted as box trucks. The Silverado medium-duty will be able to go where the Low Cab Forward will not," Peper explained.

You'll see the Silverado on construction sites, on oil fields, and working power lines as bucket trucks. While the GVWs overlap, the applications have very limited overlap.

Another difference with the new trucks is how they will be sold. "We are going to spend a lot of time training our commercial dealers. While many of the good dealers understand this market, our ultimate goal is to have dealers certified to sell this truck," Peper said. "We want to bring back a modern version of our 'commercial college' to train dealers to be experts on these trucks."

GM expects around 500 dealers will want to participate as part of the medium-duty dealer network. This is compared to the approximately 260 Chevrolet Low Cab Forward dealers.

Powered by a Duramax Diesel Engine

This is a "Silverado on steroids," according to the automaker. The trucks will be powered by a standard Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine, which is the only engine available on the Silverado, and mated to a choice of Allison transmissions. The trucks will achieve 350 hp at 700 lb.-ft. of torque.

The trucks will be offered in seven wheelbase options, two trims (WT and LT), and a Crew Cab and Regular Cab variant, providing a number of available configurations for vocational fleet needs.

The trucks also feature an 11,000-pound rear axle, with up to 15,500 pounds available increasing the number of upfits that can be installed without additional, expensive reinforcements.

A 150-amp alternator is standard or fleets can spec available 220-amp or dual alternators (150- and 220-amp).

Looking at the exterior of the medium-duty trucks you will see the recognizable Silverado branding.

From the twin powerdome hood to the debossed Chevrolet branding on the top of the grille, the medium-duty trucks are stylish as well as functional.

"The refinement of the cab is something unexpected in this segment," Peper noted. "We have inlaid doors and a quiet cab for a comfortable ride."

Special Features Include Tilting Hood

A few special features include tilt hood, which will make maintenance a breeze. Sometimes referred to as a "clamshell" design, the hood is hinged at the front. The truck's hood and fenders all tilt forward nearly 90 degrees, giving the operator or tech full access to the engine compartment.

"Our new, tilt-style hood differs from the alligator-style hood you seen on other trucks in this space. It allows you to walk right up to the engine without reaching over a fender or having to pull out a ladder simply to perform simple maintenance," Peper explained.

In addition to the new, tilt-style hood, an up to 50-degree wheel cut further allows someone to walk right up to the engine without reaching over a fender or getting out a ladder to perform basic maintenance.

According to the automaker, driver visibility was a key aspect of the truck's overall design. "We also believe the increased driver visibility is going to be a plus. We have a lower hood design, which provides increased downward driver visibility," Peper said.

The cab also sits higher than other Class 6 trucks, further increasing driver visibility.

Another key exterior aspect is in the center bar in the truck's grille. The bow-tie is open, allowing even more airflow into the engine compartment, just like the Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

The single-piece, straight frame design will ensure the truck is clean and work-ready for the upfitter community, with a clean top-of-frame and minimal intrusions. Additionally, the truck features a clean back-of-cab for further ease in working with numerous upfit options.

Auxiliary Equipment and Ergonomics

Additionally, the trucks will feature seven switch banks for use in lighting and power take-off (PTO) needs, among others as well as an optional set of switches a customer can upgrade to.

Moving inside the trucks, drivers will notice the same familiar Silverado interior with comfortable, durable, and stain-resistant seats and a number of driver-focused features.

Ergonomics and overall driver comfort were very important in the design of the new medium-duty Silverado trucks. The controls are high up and easy to reach, and the dash features easy-to-read buttons and displays. All controls have been organized into groups, such as infotainment, HVAC, switch bank, etc. Finally, the Trailer Brake Controller is located at the top of the dash for easy driver access.

A rear-vision camera system is available with the display integrated into the radio (a 7- or 8-inch diagonal display).

OnStar will be standard on LT trims and optional on WT trims. Both trim levels feature the Chevrolet driver infotainment system.

When OnStar is ordered, fleet customers will be able to choose from various fleet telematics solutions, including Commercial Link and Telogis. "This means there is no need to install extra, third-party hardware, it's already on the truck," Peper said.

Over the past four years, GM has grown its commercial business 51%.

"I think we've been doing it the right way by putting the customer at the center of everything that we do. When I think about the three pillars that we continue to have for our business: our great products, innovative business solutions, and exceptional customer experience, this truck fits perfectly into those pillars," Peper said. "On this particular truck, we've looked for as much feedback as possible and done more canvassing of stakeholders within the industry than anything we've ever done. And, we believe it's going to be a smashing success," Peper concluded.

]]>Launching the much anticipated Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD and 5500HD medium-duty models at The Work Truck Show 2018, the automaker surprised everyone with the additional launch of a 6500HD model as well.Photo of 2019 Silverado 4500HD courtesy of Chevrolet.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/article/story/2018/03/chevrolet-re-enters-medium-duty-truck-segment.aspxFCA Recalls Ram ProMaster City for Tire Placardshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/33q6yjWckzE/chrysler-recalls-ram-promaster-for-tire-placards.aspxTue, 06 Mar 2018 16:07:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/03/chrysler-recalls-ram-promaster-for-tire-placards.aspx

This scenario could lead to an operator overloading the vehicle with more occupants than are safely allowed, which can cause tire failure and increase the risk of a crash.

To fix the problem, Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire placard at no cost to vehicle owners. The recall is expected to begin April 13. Owners can reach FCA customer service at (800) 853-1403. FCA's reference number for this recall is U17.

Ford's 2019 Transit Connect compact cargo van is adding a diesel engine option, fleet model that can be easily converted to run on gaseous fuel, and array of driver-assisting features to reduce accidents for commercial users, Ford announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The upgraded model will offer three engines capable of running on five different fuels to give commercial and government fleets many choices to find the right engine for their needs. The 2019 Transit Connect will offer a standard 2.0L inline four-cylinder, 1.5L EcoBlue diesel, and 2.5L inline four-cylinder exclusively for fleets.

The base engine, which includes auto start-stop technology, delivers power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to achieve low-rpm cruising on the highway and responsive performance. The E85-compatible engine comes with a standard heavy-duty battery and available heavy-duty alternator to supply power for upfit applications.

The EcoBlue diesel should achieve an EPA-estimated 30 mpg on the highway, according to Ford. The engine combines the latest in fuel injection, turbocharging, and emissions-control technologies to reduce fuel consumption. The engine is also fitted with the 8-speed transmission.

The exclusive fleet model pairs its engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Ford is offering a factory gaseous fuel package that allows fleets to more easily convert it to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane autogas.

The base model and diesel engine come with EcoMode and EcoCoach, which monitor fuel economy and encourage fuel-efficient driving behaviors.

“The original Transit Connect’s compact size resonated with customers searching for a more maneuverable and efficient commercial van,” said Tim Stoehr, Ford's general fleet marketing manager. “We’ve enhanced Transit Connect’s available technology and powertrains to keep up with what our customers need. It is a critical tool with smart features to help improve productivity out in the field.”

Transit Connect will also boost driver-assisting technologies and make more of these technologies standard equipment, including automatic emergency braking. The cargo van also offers standard pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, side wind stabilization, and a rear-view camera.

Available technologies include a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a lane keeping system, and adaptive cruise control.

Transit Connect now also includes standard embedded 4G LTE modem that provides Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices, while an available 6.5-inch floating touch screen running SYNC 3 helps drivers keep their eyes on the road as they field customer calls and text messages hands-free or navigate to job sites.

Available wireless phone charging is a segment-first feature, according to the automaker, which keeps compatible mobile devices topped off and ready for service. FordPass helps monitor small fleets, including driver location, fuel level, tire pressure and more. Ford’s MyKey programmable ignition key remains standard for Transit Connect XLT enabling owners and fleet administrators to preset warnings and limits for vehicle speed while restricting the entertainment system’s audio to 45% of maximum volume.

Transit Connect’s interior has also been rethought. Redesigned front seats with new seat foam offer enhanced comfort over the previous model.

With city-friendly dual sliding side doors, a wide and flat load floor finished in durable vinyl, near-vertical walls and integrated tie-downs, the Transit Connect boasts flexible and generous cargo-carrying and towing capability. Loading a 48-inch pallet via forklift is easy with 180-degree swing-out rear cargo doors that can be locked in the open position.

With a 38.3-foot curb-to-curb turning diameter, short-wheelbase Transit Connect can maneuver and park on tight city streets. Transit Connect also provides a towing capability of 2,000 pounds when paired with the available tow package. It’s engineered for maximum durability and service intervals to mitigate downtime.

In addition, the new Transit Connect Cargo Van is customizable, with substantial support from aftermarket upfitters and suppliers for interior cargo management solutions, ladders, and roof racks. Businesses ranging from mobile dog grooming to pipefitting will benefit from the ease in upfits.

The 2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van goes on sale this fall. It can be purchased and serviced at more than 3,000 Ford dealers nationwide, including more than 650 dedicated Commercial Vehicle Center dealers.

]]>Ford's 2019 Transit Connect compact cargo van is adding a diesel engine option, fleet model that can be easily converted to run on gaseous fuel, and array of driver-assisting features to reduce accidents for commercial users, Ford announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.Photo of 2019 Transit Connect courtesy of Ford.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/ford-launches-2019-transit-connect-cargo-van.aspxMitsubishi Fuso's Class 4 Gasoline Cabovers Arrivehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/vXbmRM3FBP4/mitsubishi-fuso-s-gasoline-cabovers-arrive.aspxTue, 06 Mar 2018 14:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/mitsubishi-fuso-s-gasoline-cabovers-arrive.aspx

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America will begin selling its gasoline-powered 2019 FE cabovers this month, after showing production-ready versions at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

A General Motors-sourced 6.0L V-8 will power a Class 4 and Class 5 FE cabover. The Daimler AG-owned unit will also show a production-ready model of its battery-electric eCanter. The trucks will be sold alongside diesel models.

Class 4 models will include the FE140 (14,500 lb. GVWR) and the FE160 (15,995 lb. GVWR). Later this year, Fuso will offer the Class 5 FE180 (17,995 lb. GVWR), which would be the first gasoline-powered Class 5 cabover. In all models, the PSI-GM V-8 engine will make 297 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque.

Fuso will eventually offer a gaseous-prep package from the factory to allow buyers to use compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane autogas. The trucks come equiipped with a 40-gallon rear-mounted fuel tank.

The gasoline engine will be paired with an Allison 1000 automatic transmission with Fuel Sense 2.0 transmission management software, including DynActive shifting technology that improves fuel economy by as much as 6%. The software uses a Neutral-at-Stop feature that further reduces fuel consumption.

The FE gasoline trucks will also arrive with enhancements in the cab's interior, including improved driver seat bolstering. The seat cushion has been extended and the seatbelts are now red for higher visibility.

Instrument cluster colors have been improved under various lighting conditions, and the trucks now come with an LED cabin light. Storage space has been enhanced with a new driver side console, floor tray, and sun-visor pocket.

The truck is available with a black-on-black color scheme with silver trim accents in the interior. The cab improvements will also be offered on diesel-powered trucks.

Fuso will assemble the models at the Freightliner Customer Chassis Corp. (FCCC) plant in Gaffney, S.C.

Fiat Chrysler's 2019 Ram 1500 large pickup will retail for at least $33,340 when it arrives at dealer lots in the coming weeks, FCA has announced. The price includes a retail price of $31,695 and a delivery fee of $1,645.

The 2019 Ram 1500, which debuted at the Detroit auto show in January, will enter its fifth generation with a refresh that adds more driver-assisting technology, improved fuel economy, and additional storage options.

The 1500 Tradesman Quad Cab with rear-wheel drive will be sold as the base model, while the flagship is the crew cab Limited 4x4 with the long wheelbase and 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine. That model will retail for $59,385 (including delivery fee).

The truck will offer two engines, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with eTorque mild hybrid technology that will arrive late in the model year or the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that's paired with an eight-speed transmission. Adding eTorque to the V-8 adds $800.

]]>Fiat Chrysler's 2019 Ram 1500 large pickup will retail for at least $33,340 when it arrives at dealer lots in the coming weeks, FCA has announced. The price includes a retail price of $31,695 and a delivery fee of $1,645.Photo of 2019 Ram 1500 courtesy of FCA.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/03/2019-ram-1500-starts-at-31-695.aspxLightning Systems to Offer Hydrogen-Powered Transit Vanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/BrGUFzltrkM/lightning-systems-electric-ford-transit-arrives.aspxTue, 06 Mar 2018 10:36:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/03/lightning-systems-electric-ford-transit-arrives.aspx

In the fall, Lightning Systems will begin delivering a hydrogen fuel-cell Transit full-size cargo van to commercial buyers that should deliver a range of more than 200 miles before needing to refuel, the vehicle modifier has announced.

This zero-emissions Transit will use the company's LightningElectric system that's paired with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender.

The extender uses hydrogen stored in carbon fiber-wrapped pressure tanks with sensors. The gaseous fuel is delivered to a fuel cell to charge a lithium-ion battery with up to 30 kilowatts of power. The van can reach a top speed of 75 miles per hour.

Lightning Systems will also begin delivering its battery-electric Ford Transit cargo van later this month in California, the company announced at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. The vehicle offers a range of about 50 miles.

The vehicle offers a 10,360-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and can be fully charged in 30 minutes using DC fast charging or in six hours using Level 2 (240-volt) AC charging. The van has a payload capacity of 4,000 pounds.

The company's all-electric Transit retains Ford's factory warranty for the base chassis, because the conversion is part of Ford's eQVM program that was unveiled in September.

Lightning Systems plans to host several events in California and New York in April that will allow fleet managers to drive the vehicles.

Verizon Connect has launched as the integrated business entity that's the product of $5 billion in investments, including acquisitions of several connected vehicle companies, Verizon has announced.

The connected vehicle unit will offer fleet customers products and insights so they can be better informed about vehicle and worker location, efficiency, safety, productivity, and compliance. The Atlanta-based Verizon now counts 3,500 employees, according to an announcement.

"One of the things we're most proud of at Verizon Connect is the potential our current and future technologies have for massive societal impact," said Andrés Irlando, CEO of Verizon Connect. "We're working with customers to maintain cold chain integrity and keep perishable items safe during transport, routing customers' vehicles more efficiently to reduce emissions, monitoring vehicle diagnostics to improve fuel efficiency, and providing a gamification app that helps customers recognize and reward their safest drivers, just to name a few."

The company will offer fleet and mobile workforce management software platforms, embedded OEM hardware, and Hum by Verizon, a connected vehicle device that helps create a safer, smarter and more connected driving experience for consumers.

The new unit incorporates former brands, including Verizon Telematics, Fleetmatics, and Telogis.

]]>Verizon Connect has launched as the integrated business entity that's the product of $5 billion in investments, including acquisitions of several connected vehicle providers, Verizon has announced.Photo courtesy of Verizon Connect.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/03/verizon-connect-launches-as-connected-telematics-provider.aspxQ. What is a fleet plan centered around mobility?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/dQb64ZDro-g/q-what-is-a-fleet-plan-centered-around-mobility.aspxJack FirrioloMon, 05 Mar 2018 09:16:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-what-is-a-fleet-plan-centered-around-mobility.aspxA. Mobility is best defined as utilizing a customizable plan that allows transportation to happen efficiently and easily. If you’d like to learn more about mobility please check out our whitepaper on the industry’s latest buzzword. Once you’ve embraced the mobility mindset a better understanding can be found in three additional categories that, when combined with traditional leasing, contribute to a truly mobile fleet. These segments are vehicle sharing, seasonal/short-term/project-based, and vehicle alternatives.

]]>A. Mobility is best defined as utilizing a customizable plan that allows transportation to happen efficiently and easily...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-what-is-a-fleet-plan-centered-around-mobility.aspxQ. How can a fleet management company add value?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/npqJeusJz04/q-how-can-a-fleet-management-company-add-value.aspxJack FirrioloMon, 05 Mar 2018 09:03:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-how-can-a-fleet-management-company-add-value.aspxA. Value comes in many forms and should not be defined as just the lowest price. While overall cost is an important component it’s not the only factor to consider. Another key piece is working with someone who’s willing to go the extra mile. To start the evaluation of your own fleet management company ask yourself three questions; what have they done for me? What can they do for me? And do they execute in moments of truth? Your answer to these questions will help you assess the true value of your current FMC.

]]>A. Value comes in many forms and should not be defined as just the lowest price...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-how-can-a-fleet-management-company-add-value.aspxQ. What is the difference between a fleet management company and a fleet advocate?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/ecqb95_GsoI/q-what-is-the-difference-between-a-fleet-management-company-and-a-fleet-advocate.aspxJack FirrioloMon, 05 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-what-is-the-difference-between-a-fleet-management-company-and-a-fleet-advocate.aspxA. A fleet advocate will offer added value, trusted consulting, prompt and helpful customer service, and technology designed to improve overall fleet efficiency. They will make decisions with your best interest in mind, and continuously evaluate your situation to ensure you have the right plan for the entirety of your lease.

]]>A. A fleet advocate will offer added value, trusted consulting, prompt and helpful customer service, and technology...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-what-is-the-difference-between-a-fleet-management-company-and-a-fleet-advocate.aspxQ. How can a strategic consultant be an advocate for your fleet?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/yVYahgcRZuo/q-how-can-a-strategic-consultant-be-an-advocate-for-your-fleet.aspxJack FirrioloMon, 05 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-how-can-a-strategic-consultant-be-an-advocate-for-your-fleet.aspxA. A business can’t function efficiently if it doesn’t have the right vehicles. But what’s considered the “right vehicle” could change and is a dynamic decision-making process. A trusted strategic consultant will monitor industry trends and adapt their strategy accordingly. This could mean staying with a traditional long-term lease, but perhaps your assets would be used more efficiently by incorporating a program centered around mobility. In addition, a strategic consultant will factor in fleet lifecycles when building a customized plan for you. This means not only getting you the vehicles you need, but also presenting you options to optimize resale value.

]]>A. A business can’t function efficiently if it doesn’t have the right vehicles...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/03/q-how-can-a-strategic-consultant-be-an-advocate-for-your-fleet.aspx2018 Mercedes-Benz S450http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/aOhvjGHWMFA/2018-mercedes-s450.aspxChris BrownFri, 02 Mar 2018 16:58:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/driving-notes/story/2018/03/2018-mercedes-s450.aspx

Last overhauled for the 2014 model year, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a refresh for 2018 that includes new engines and an infusion of new tech into one of the most already advanced vehicles on the market.

Our tester, the S450, is new to the S hierarchy and slots in as the “base model,” though that designation doesn’t do justice to its standard features and refinement. The S450 uses the S-Class’s new 3.0L biturbo V6 engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and generating 363 horses and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. With an electric assist, it’s a worthy replacement for its 8-cylinder predecessor, boosting power without turbo lag.

The new 6-cylinder is good for 22 mpg fuel economy combined, which bests the 8-cylinder’s 20 mpg combined while not compromising performance.

The more noteworthy upgrades involve Intelligent Drive, advancing the S-Class further down the path of autonomous driving. These include improvements to safe forward distances, emergency stopping, lane keeping, pedestrian/object detection, traffic sign reading, parking, and automatically adjusting speed on bends and at road junctions.

The S-Class is even set up for vehicle-to-grid-to-vehicle communication when the infrastructure comes.

So the S is capable of changing lanes with only a flick of the turn signal. But do you dare? Taking the full benefit of Intelligent Drive’s functionality on the road is, frankly, an unnerving proposition without a classroom course and a Mercedes instructor next to you. Such is the irony of using autonomous features at this stage in the game.

Creature comforts and safety features are bundled into packages, including such lavishness as a seat massage, heated armrests, and fragrance choices. However, some features that were once options are now standard, including those governing blind spots, lane keeping, adaptive braking, and adaptive high beams.

Starting at $89,900 MSRP, the S-Class comes out of the gate on the high-end in a competitive set that includes Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, BMW 7-Series, and Porsche Panamera.

For commercial fleets, the S-Class remains on the pedestal in senior C-suite aspirations.

]]>Last overhauled for the 2014 model year, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a refresh for 2018 that includes new engines and an infusion of new tech into one of the most already advanced vehicles on the market.Photo by Vince Taroc.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/driving-notes/story/2018/03/2018-mercedes-s450.aspxMIT Study Reinforces the Newfound Importance of Fleethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/YnTFq2kmyl8/mit-study-reinforces-the-newfound-importance-of-fleet.aspxChris BrownFri, 02 Mar 2018 16:37:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/03/mit-study-reinforces-the-newfound-importance-of-fleet.aspx In the fleet world, we live and die by the expense each vehicle model generates. We calculate cost elements to the mile, including depreciation, financing, fees and taxes, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and even opportunity cost. Those numbers affect acquisition and remarketing decisions for thousands of fleet vehicles.

Remember when Uber and Lyft and the ride-hailing model became a business and cultural phenomenon around 2011? Though the term gig economy wasn’t widely circulated, the underemployed in our communities had a new source of extra income overnight. To those drivers, I’d make a point to ask, “The extra take-home pay is great, but do you have a good idea of your expenses, and are you netting those out of your profits?”

The study found that a driver at the median generates 59 cents per mile, but incurs costs of 30 cents per mile. Per hour worked, that translates to a median profit of $3.37 an hour before taxes — and 74% of drivers earn less than the minimum wage in their state. Some 30% actually lose money once vehicle expenses are included, the study found.

An update of the study found that the average wage for Uber drivers is closer to $8.55 to $10 per hour.

The report goes further to suggest that drivers using the standard mileage deduction at 54 cents a mile (in 2016) far exceeded their 30 cents per mile of expenses — suggesting that about 74% of driver profit is untaxed.

You might quibble with how the study calculates vehicle expenses with estimates from Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and the EPA. (Fleet folks could’ve helped in this regard!) Apparently, others have, and the study organizers are collaborating on better data crunching. Assuming the updated average wages, is $8.55 an hour a realistic wage?

But in these new economies — especially those involving depreciating, expense-heavy automobiles — it is imperative to perform true cost analyses. Fleet professionals can not only supply these insights six ways to Sunday, they would be willing partners in figuring out real-world operational scenarios that would help translate a good idea into sustainable profitability.

In this scenario, at the very least, awareness is being raised by the fact that more and more drivers are eschewing their own vehicles (if they even own one) in favor of using a rented vehicle to drive on these platforms. In this case less-visible operating expenses are being assumed by the fleet owners, while drivers can compare the very tangible daily rental figure with their daily revenue.

It is continually ironic that as the gig/sharing/peer-to-peer economies grow on the path to autonomous vehicles, the “outside” world is becoming aware of how a fleet functions. New business interests are beginning to understand the benefits of fleets and their importance to the ecosystem. This isn’t the last time I’ll say this: Own the fleet, own the future.

This post was updated at 2 p.m., March 7, 2018 to include updated information on the MIT study.

]]>Uber and Lyft drivers make far less when factoring vehicle expenses, though the actual numbers are now in dispute. A proper lifecycle cost analysis would’ve helped, and shows the benefit of collaboration with fleet professionals.Photo: &amp;copy;iSdddtockphoPhototo.com/jxfzsyPhohttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/03/mit-study-reinforces-the-newfound-importance-of-fleet.aspxQ. Do you expect the future of fuel cards to be in mobile payment or in embedded vehicle payment?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/ZgX3W9G0GZw/q-do-you-expect-the-future-of-fuel-cards-to-be-in-mobile-payment-or-in-embedded-vehicle-payment.aspxBernie KavanaghFri, 02 Mar 2018 10:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-do-you-expect-the-future-of-fuel-cards-to-be-in-mobile-payment-or-in-embedded-vehicle-payment.aspxA. I think you will get both. It’s going to take a lot of time to change to just one solution.

Think about the day when you used to go through a toll booth and you handed somebody money. Then we moved to the basket where you threw the cash in. And we moved to E-ZPass. But there are still toll booths that have all three of them.

If you think about that, if you think about the replacement cycle of vehicles, if you think about the replacement cycle of POS devices, you’re 10 to 15 years out before we’ll be at the point there’s a critical mass to move to just one solution.

In that interim period, you might have some vehicles that may issue payments, some mobile devices that issue payments and you may still have a card as a backup, because the device may not be able to register, you may not have cell coverage. I think there will be a slow migration.

In the end, there will still be a need to track the asset. So there’s still a benefit to connect to the vehicle. Same for diagnostics. So it might go the other way, where all my address book is in my dash, so why wouldn’t my payments be there as well? So the car could have access to the phone’s payment solution. The car becomes the gateway.

]]>A. I think you will get both. It’s going to take a lot of time to change to just one solution...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-do-you-expect-the-future-of-fuel-cards-to-be-in-mobile-payment-or-in-embedded-vehicle-payment.aspxQ. How do you see the market for fuel card services evolving over the coming years in terms of partner programs?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/t5m9Rnro32M/q-how-do-you-see-the-market-for-fuel-card-services-evolving-over-the-coming-years-in-terms-of-part.aspxBernie KavanaghFri, 02 Mar 2018 09:44:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-how-do-you-see-the-market-for-fuel-card-services-evolving-over-the-coming-years-in-terms-of-part.aspxA. I think you see most oil companies focus on what they’re good at, what are their specialties. I don’t think that card programs necessarily need to be their specialty.

To succeed, you need to have the systems in place; you need to build scale. When you’ve got a partner like WEX -- who already has the scale and can immediately bring that and drive the operations and the sales, handle the billing and other things -- it just makes more sense to partner with somebody.

And oil companies are now focusing back on their core business. I think you’re seeing them even going further that way. The oil companies are getting out of owning the stations. Exxon Mobil made the decision a year ago to leave the gas station business. I think companies as a whole are specializing in their core business and partnering with those that do the pieces of their business that’s core to them. So it creates opportunities for WEX and others to do the processing and run the card programs for most of the major oil companies.

We have 20 to 25 oil company partners, including some of the biggest: ExxonMobil, Chevron, Sunoco, etc. Most of the oil companies are with WEX today. There’s just a small handful that are not.

]]>A. I think you see most oil companies focus on what they’re good at...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-how-do-you-see-the-market-for-fuel-card-services-evolving-over-the-coming-years-in-terms-of-part.aspxQ. When will the industry move to 100% chip-enabled cards?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/YJFhlfBOyI0/q-when-will-the-industry-move-to-100-chip-enabled-cards.aspxBernie KavanaghFri, 02 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-when-will-the-industry-move-to-100-chip-enabled-cards.aspxA. Not any time soon. There’s a deadline of 2020, but there’s significant expense and complexity when retrofitting gas pumps for chip card acceptance. It’s not just flip a switch. It’s something we will be ready for when they are, but retailers and Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. have delayed their plans to be compliant by October 2017. It’s great for us that liability for fraud at unattended fuel pumps will eventually shift – it is due to shift in October 2020 -- but until large numbers of pumps get EMV chip card readers, that will mean WEX, other card issuers, and gas stations will remain vulnerable to skimming fraud.

]]>A. Not any time soon. There’s a deadline of 2020, but...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/03/q-when-will-the-industry-move-to-100-chip-enabled-cards.aspxGourmet Caterer Hones the Art and Science of Fleet Routinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/irjrQSMB788/gourmet-caterer-hones-the-art-and-science-of-fleet-routing.aspxDaryl LubinskyThu, 01 Mar 2018 10:16:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/article/story/2018/03/gourmet-caterer-hones-the-art-and-science-of-fleet-routing.aspx

John Valente emphasizes the importance of customer service in his business, Marigolds & Onions, and the delivery drivers on the front lines of the Toronto-based catering and event planning company are crucial to providing that service. A driver with a professional demeanor is a must when it comes to delivering the food to clients.

Ram Schapira, Marigolds & Onions’ operations manager, concurs. “You have to look calm, you have to look good, the food has to look good, and you can’t drive too fast and knock stuff over,” he says. “It’s all part and parcel to have this whole system working together.”

The fleet of 11 vans is paramount to operations for the company, which describes itself as a full-service, off-site caterer. Half of Marigolds & Onions’ business entails daily hot food runs to downtown corporate clients, while the other half is social, charitable, corporate, and sports events such as an annual sit-down dinner for 3,000 people for Honda of Canada Manufacturing and the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, serving 150,000 people in one week.

The concept of delivering meals might sound simple, but Valente describes it as “an incredibly complex business” that must consider many factors in safely and efficiently transporting food to clients.

The company has set a goal of delivering most meals no more than 15 minutes before the start of the client’s event. To meet that goal, company officials and drivers must calculate variables such as traffic, how long a driver must wait to get the vehicle into a loading area, and whether the driver must wait for an elevator.

Valente describes performing the task as an “art form”— but company officials decided about a year ago to use Paragon Software Systems’ Single Depot software with street level mapping. “It does most of the hard work for you, so you can concentrate on the bigger picture,” Schapira says.

Fleet Use

The use of Paragon was necessary to manage the 11 refrigerated vans, and that fleet includes four Ford Transits, a two-ton Ford E-250 and three 1.5-ton Chevrolet Expresses. Most recently, the company bought three Mercedes Metris commercial vans.

Valente runs the vehicles to about 18,000 to 20,000 kilometers a year (about 11,000 to 12,000 miles) and de-fleets them at about 150,000 kilometers. The list of fleet assets still includes two Chevrolet Astros with more than 200,000 kilometers, one of which is used solely for parts.

The vehicles, sourced through local dealerships, serve different requirements. The Metris vans work well for daily order drop-offs and are the appropriate size to fit in underground parking lots. “They fit just what is required for a breakfast run, which could be three, four, or five different drops at different locations,” Valente says. “Then they come back, reload for lunch, and go back downtown.”

Drivers with larger deliveries will use the larger vehicles. The drivers also use those after the events for later pickups of the “smallwares” such as dishes and serving utensils that were dropped off earlier in the day or the previous day, and those can fill a van quickly.

The company also uses those larger vehicles for larger events, which can serve 100 to 500 people, and the company can usually fit 100 to 200 servings into each vehicle. Marigolds will typically send two vehicles to venues that serve more than 200 people.

According to Valente, the branding of the vans sticks in people’s minds. Vehicle wraps stand out well, mainly with the Ford Transit and Mercedes Metris. “A lot of people say, ‘I saw your van driving around downtown,’” Valente says. “We have a very unique logo and color scheme, baby blue and bright purple. So it tends to stand out quite easily when you’re driving around, especially downtown.”

Delivery Details

The numerous variables surrounding deliveries are now handled in large part by the routing software. “Back in the day (this information) was on a bunch of spreadsheets, and trying to manage it was a nightmare,” Valente says.

Moreover, one employee at the business used to make all those calculations manually. “He was our maestro, and if that guy was sick, it caused so much stress,” Schapira says.

Upon starting the relationship, Paragon representatives conferred with the company’s IT personnel to understand the intricacies of the catering business to customize the system accordingly. Once programmed, the street-level mapping helps ensure allocation of the correct driving time for each route through the dense urban area where most of the company’s corporate clients are located.

This also includes designing “macros” that automate scheduling based on specific criteria of a client or stop. For instance, if the hot beverage macro is activated, the program will only allow coffee to come from Marigolds’ kitchen. If not, the program allows coffee to be bought offsite before delivered.

One macro manages the scheduling needs of food type — cold or hot — while another identifies equipment and non-disposable serving ware for each order. The day after an order is completed the software will schedule a stop to pick up the items.

As well, the program understands stop specifics such as average time in loading docks and service elevators. Traffic information can be inputted to identify construction hot zones or approximate driving speeds at rush hour.

“Paragon has all that in the master data,” he says. “We don’t even have to think about that. It just schedules appropriately.”

While an employee at Marigolds must still use intuition when using the Paragon software, it provides the top options to consider. “This is where the art part comes back in, to see how much we can tweak it to improve on what it’s giving us,” Valente says.

Greater Demands

Valente notes that clients are becoming more demanding when it comes to meeting delivery timeframes. In part because of the software, the business’ rate of error is much lower than it used to be, and late deliveries are down. Client retention is up.

“I’m seeing more new names. Companies calling out of the blue and staying with us,” Valente says. “I think people notice the efficiencies of the deliveries.”

In Valente’s experience, Toronto businesses are more demanding and require more flexibility in their caterers than other cities. “There are 10 other caterers behind us knocking on that person’s door.”

]]>With a delivery window of a mere 15 minutes, Toronto-based Marigolds & Onions uses fleet routing and scheduling software to manage details such as driving time between routes, details of each stop and time spent, and even food type.Marigolds &amp;amp; Onions&amp;rsquo; business entails daily hot food runs to downtown corporate clients and major social, charitable, corporate, and sports events serving thousands of people. The company manages stops down to the average time in loading docks and service elevators as well as types of food and serving ware. Photo courtesy of Marigolds &amp;amp; Onionshttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/article/story/2018/03/gourmet-caterer-hones-the-art-and-science-of-fleet-routing.aspxAdapting to a Changing Tidehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/W2TetS71Ong/adapting-to-a-changing-tide.aspxSherb BrownThu, 01 Mar 2018 09:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/nobody-asked-me-but/story/2018/03/adapting-to-a-changing-tide.aspxThis will come as no surprise to most of the fleet audience but we do a lot of surveys here at Automotive Fleet. We do a salary survey, we do maintenance surveys, and we do some interesting surveys regarding vehicle selection. Over the years we have seen salaries increase (a little), we have seen maintenance costs go up (and down), but in the area of vehicle selection, we have seen some real eye-opening trends.

The fleet market was once upon a time very neatly divided between cars and trucks. Today the split is closer to 80% in favor of trucks. Even the traditional passenger car fleets are using CUVs and SUVs in place of sedans. The CUV/SUV category is growing faster than any other segment and they outsold cars last year again. One of the driving forces behind the growth of that segment is the fleet market, and the people who make the decisions about what vehicles get placed onto a selector list or into service in a fleet.

Several large U.S. based fleets have made the switch from compact cars to midsize sedans or even CUVs. Those decisions, for the first time that I can remember, weren’t driven by economics. They were driven by concerns for driver safety and driver well-being. It’s probably a sign of our somewhat stable market conditions rather than a representation of any sea change in the fleet market, but whatever the cause, it’s probably a welcome change for the drivers of those vehicles. It’s also a welcome change for the manufacturers and the upfitters who now get to flex their creative muscles to develop great new products rather than just racing to bottom to design the cheapest, just-good-enough product designed to make a purchasing manager happy.

Those surveys that we do on vehicle selection have always made one thing clear: economics are important. Acquisition cost or lifecycle cost have always been the top consideration. Job suitability was right up there too but more than one fleet manager has been willing to sacrifice a little suitability for a little larger CAP incentive. They’ve been willing to trade a little ergonomic comfort for a little more off the invoice too.

The first clue we had that things were changing was when a group of big time fleet managers met with a few vehicle makers for a focus group we had. The question of options came up, specifically those related to safety. For the first time in my professional career, I heard a group of fleet managers all say they didn’t care about the cost. Normally when you ask a group of fleet decision makers if they like the idea of a new product or service, their initial reaction is always positive. But that’s because their initial assumption is that you are going to provide that product or service at no additional cost. But this is different. Those safety and ergonomic features are wanted and needed by everyone, and the market is willing to pay for it.

Fleets are often the beta testers of the vehicle market. This is one of those blessed times when fleets are out front of a growing trend. That shift away from compact sedans we saw in the fleet market a few years ago is playing out in real time in the retail market right now. That shift to CUVs and SUVs, same thing. It’s a great thing for your career, for your lifecycle costs, and for your drivers. So pat yourself on the back for being ahead of your time.

]]>Fleets are often the beta testers of the vehicle market. That shift away from compact sedans we saw in the fleet market a few years ago is playing out in real time in the retail market right now.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/nobody-asked-me-but/story/2018/03/adapting-to-a-changing-tide.aspxIsuzu Adds Crew Cab NRR to Cabover Lineuphttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/OdaRDaSbQ6Q/isuzu-announes-2018-2019-truck-lineup.aspxThu, 01 Mar 2018 07:46:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/isuzu-announes-2018-2019-truck-lineup.aspx

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. will offer a crew cab version of its Class 5 NRR cabover that will carry up to seven passengers. The NRR Crew Cab will have a 19,500-pound GVWR, Isuzu announced.

“Last year, we unveiled our Class 6 FTR truck, which is already making major inroads in the marketplace,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “Now, we’re expanding the lineup even further with the introduction of a Crew Cab model in our Class 5 NRR series. This is further proof that Isuzu is committed to providing the right truck for every one of our customers’ needs.”

Isuzu also announced additional details about its 2018 and 2019 model trucks. Highlights include:

The only low-cab-forward lineup that includes two EPA-certified diesel engines and a gasoline engine alternative.

]]>Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. will offer a Crew Cab version of its Class 5 NRR cabover that will carry up to seven passengers. The NRR Crew Cab will have a 19,500-pound GVWR, Isuzu announced.Image of Isuzu NRR Crew Cab Steak Bed truck courtesy of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc.http://www.businessfleet.com/news/story/2018/03/isuzu-announes-2018-2019-truck-lineup.aspxPedestrian Fatalities Reach Record for Two Consecutive Yearshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/AltYxR-AHTY/pedestrian-fatalities-reach-record-for-two-consecutive-years.aspxThu, 01 Mar 2018 07:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/03/pedestrian-fatalities-reach-record-for-two-consecutive-years.aspx

The 5,984 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2017 represents a decrease of just one half of 1% of pedestrian fatalities in 2016, according to a new report from the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

It has been more than 25 years since the U.S. experienced this level of pedestrian fatalities, with 2017 marking a second consecutive year of record high numbers.

In a statement, The National Safety Council said it is discouraged by the new figures and is committed to working with GHSA and all members of the Road to Zero Coalition to reverse the negative trend.

The report, "Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2017 Preliminary Data," is based on preliminary data provided by all 50 State Highway Safety Offices and the District of Columbia.

In the first half of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, 23 states and the District of Columbia reported increases in pedestrian fatalities while 20 states had decreases and seven remained the same.

California ranked highest in fatalities, reporting 352 pedestrian deaths for the first half of 2017. Hawaii and Wyoming reported the fewest fatalities, reporting just one pedestrian death each.

Five states — California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Arizona — each reported more than 100 pedestrian deaths and also accounted for 43% of all pedestrian deaths during the first six months of 2017. The report notes that these states represent approximately 30% of the U.S. population, according to the 2017 U.S. Census.

Other noteworthy findings in the report concern lifestyle factors that may correlate to increased pedestrian fatalities due to impaired judgment and/or distracted behaviors. For example, the seven states (Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) and District of Columbia that legalized recreational use of marijuana between 2012 and 2016 reported a collective 16.4% increase in pedestrian deaths for the first six months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. Conversely, all other states reported a collective 5.8% decrease in fatalities for the same comparison periods.

The report notes that the 2017 preliminary data is part of a larger trend in recent years that points to an alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities. Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities increased 27% from 2007 to 2016, while all other traffic fatalities over this period decreased by 14%. Moreover, the number of states with pedestrian fatality rates at or above two per 100,000 population more than doubled from seven in 2014 to 15 in 2016.

]]>The 5,984 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2017 represents a decrease of just one half of 1% of pedestrian fatalities in 2016, according to a new report from the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA).Graphic courtesy of GHSA.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/03/pedestrian-fatalities-reach-record-for-two-consecutive-years.aspxSprinter 2500, 3500 Models Recalled for UVW Labelinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/CerdEk2GSrU/sprinter-2500-3500-models-recalled-for-uvw-labeling.aspxWed, 28 Feb 2018 14:05:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/van/news/story/2018/02/sprinter-2500-3500-models-recalled-for-uvw-labeling.aspx

Domino's has begun using a self-driving delivery test vehicle from Ford Motor Co. in south Florida to help the automaker gather data for a fully autonomous delivery service Ford plans to launch in 2021, the company announced.

Ford will also begin testing a vehicle with Postmates, an app-based courier service that delivers food, groceries, clothing, and other goods, Sherif Marakby, Ford's vice president of autonomous vehicles and electrification, wrote in a Medium post.

Ford is testing the vehicles in Miami-Dade County on the streets of Miami and Miami Beach. The company has been working with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who leads a county with diverse transportation options from ride-hailing to bicycle sharing.

Gimenez "understands the potential of self-driving vehicles and how they can fit in, interact with, and enhance all of those modes and more," Marakby wrote. "That’s why this collaboration makes so much sense."

Miami is one of the most congested cities in the U.S. It ranked fifth in the most recent Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard. Commuters spend an average of 64 hours in congestion per year, which is 10% of their total drive time.

While Domino's has already begun testing the autonomous vehicles, Postmates will begin testing one in March. The Fusion Hybrid test vehicles have been equipped with an array of sensors, including advanced LiDAR equipment from artificial intelligence firm Argo AI. Ford acquired the firm in October after investing $1 billion in the company in early 2017.

The vehicles have begun mapping the roads of Miami to improve the way they move through the city.

]]>Domino's has begun using a self-driving delivery test vehicle from Ford Motor Co. in south Florida to help the automaker gather data for a fully autonomous delivery service Ford plans to launch in 2021, the company announced.Photo courtesy of Ford.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/ford-begins-testing-driver-less-delivery-service-in-florida.aspxXL Hybrids to Electrify Ford's F-250 Pickuphttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/915csr735QM/xl-hybrids-to-electrify-ford-s-f-250.aspxTue, 27 Feb 2018 06:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/02/xl-hybrids-to-electrify-ford-s-f-250.aspx

XL Hybrids will offer an electrified 2018 Ford F-250 pickup to commercial and municipal fleets that will be unveiled at NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in early March, the company announced.

The battery-electric hybrid F-250 will be equipped with the vehicle modifier's XLH hybrid drive system that's expected to increase fuel economy by 25% and significantly reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.

Production of the hybrid F-250 conversions will begin in March. The Work Truck Show is set for March 6 to 9 in Indianapolis.

XL Hybrids will also make its technology available on more F-150 pickups, by adding SuperCrew models. The company now offers F-150s with its XLP plug-in hybrid electric system that improves fuel economy by 50%, according to the company.

"Ford trucks are in high demand by XL's fleet customers, so we developed our hybrid-electric upfit solutions for both the F-150 and F-250 pickup to support needs for power, payload, as well as better fuel economy,” said Clay Siegert, the company's chief operating officer.

XL Hybrids installs its XLH hybrid and XLP plug-in systems in several hours and uses Ford's ship-through process. The vehicle retains its factory warranty, and receives a three-year, 75,000-mile warranty from XL on the hybrid powertrain.

XLH and XLP will also include the XL Link cloud-based big data analytics system, which collects millions of operational data points and miles-per-gallon performance, carbon dioxide emissions reductions, and other key performance indicators.

]]>XL Hybrids will offer an electrified 2018 Ford F-250 pickup to commercial and municipal fleets that will be unveiled at NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in early March, the company announced.Photo of 2018 Ford F-250 courtesy of XL Hybrids.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/02/xl-hybrids-to-electrify-ford-s-f-250.aspxWork Truck Show to Bring Slew of Vehicles, Productshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/dV4eQs4lm34/complete-2018-work-truck-show-coverage.aspxMon, 26 Feb 2018 10:21:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/complete-2018-work-truck-show-coverage.aspxTruck manufacturers, as well as auxiliary equipment manufacturer, are gearing up to reveal several new vehicles and solutions at the Work Truck Show from March 6–9 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Just a few of the news items to keep your eyes peeled for include the reveal of Chevrolet Commercial Vehicles' Silverado 4500HD and 5500HD chassis cab trucks. Ford Commercial Vehicles will launch a new commercial vehicle. Hino Trucks will introduce a line of Class 7 and 8 trucks. International Truck will debut what it’s calling “the driver’s ultimate work truck.” Additional OEMs with press conferences scheduled include Ram Commercial, which plans to announce work-truck-related news for the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 truck, Nissan, International, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Mack Trucks Inc.

Work Truck magazine will be announcing and presenting the winner of the 2018 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year award. Educational sessions, Green Truck Summit and Fleet Technical Congress begin March 6, and the exhibit hall opens from March 7–9.

“Every March, Indianapolis becomes the North American epicenter for work trucks, as manufacturers showcase the newest vocational trucks, vans, components and equipment for any application to fleet managers, equipment distributors, upfitters, installers and other professionals in the vocational vehicle industry,” said Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “If you want to be part of this year’s biggest product launches, you want to be at The Work Truck Show 2018.”

Overall, the 500 exhibiting companies at The Work Truck Show 2018 will showcase the latest products necessary to build, equip, customize and utilize the trucks that keep America moving forward. The Work Truck Show’s exclusive New Product Spotlight program makes it easy for attendees to identify new products in advance and on the exhibit floor.

]]>Truck manufacturers, as well as auxiliary equipment manufacturer, are gearing up to reveal several new vehicles and solutions at the Work Truck Show from March 6–9 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.Logo courtesy of The Work Truck Showhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/complete-2018-work-truck-show-coverage.aspxHow to Minimize Unauthorized Use of Corporate Assetshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/4437z3KZCUQ/how-to-minimize-unauthorized-use-of-corporate-assets.aspxMike AntichSat, 24 Feb 2018 11:05:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/02/how-to-minimize-unauthorized-use-of-corporate-assets.aspxA growing number of employees are using their company vehicles as a tool to generate supplemental personal income for themselves. According to the National Labor Bureau, almost 6% of employees engage in side jobs, commonly known as moonlighting.

Service industries are the most vulnerable to moonlighters. Unscrupulous service technicians are known to use company vans to moonlight for their personal business. A common example involves employees working in landscaping, plumbing, or home improvement, who will make a deal with prospective customers after the initial job estimate was rejected because of price. These unscrupulous employees will offer to do the same job at a lower price, on their personal time, but often using corporate assets, such as the company vehicle using the tools and parts it carries.

Moonlighting has major repercussions for businesses. For instance, moonlighting employees consume extra fuel, incur unnecessary vehicle wear and tear, and siphon away job income from the primary employer. Moonlighting also creates unnecessary expenditures to replace pilfered inventory, reduces vehicle resale value due to accumulating higher mileage, and has a negative impact on brand image and reputation if substandard work is performed. In addition, there is a decrease in productivity from tired employees who are working after-hours at multiple jobs.

Another trend in unauthorized usage of company vehicles is working as an Uber or Lyft driver. Other moonlighting activities involve the secretive use of a company vehicle for part-time direct sales, such as Avon, or for pizza delivery by children of employees, who, as a family member, are authorized by company fleet policy to drive a company vehicle.

Increased Liability Exposure

Unauthorized use of corporate assets increases a company’s liability exposure to vicarious liability or negligent entrustment lawsuits. Even though a moonlighting employee may be acting as an independent contractor when engaged in outside work, he or she may still be driving the employer’s vehicle, using the employer’s tools, and possibly even wearing the employer’s uniform. Moonlighting employees often do not carry general liability insurance coverage. In the event of a lawsuit this increases the prospect for a plaintiff’s lawyer to include the moonlighter’s employer in the lawsuit, which is viewed as the deep-pocket defendant.

Moonlighting is a Safety Risk

Moonlighting is dangerous. If an employee is working multiple jobs, it is inevitable that they will be fatigued and sleep deprived, resulting in poor attentiveness, both on the job and behind the wheel. Employees exhausted from moonlighting over the weekend or after-hours are injury prone. If injuries occur during moonlighting, they may get misreported as on the job accidents, driving up workers’ compensation costs.

Tools to Inhibit Moonlighting

One way to minimize moonlighting is by exercising tight control of parts inventory. Track every part purchased from the time it enters inventory until it is sold. If you have a tight control on parts inventory, moonlighters will think twice about inventory theft. It’s not unheard of for some proactive companies to do a sting to catch employees in the act of moonlighting, but care must be taken so that it is not construed as entrapment.

Some primary employers seek to curb moonlighting by requiring workers to sign non-compete agreements. If employees’ moonlighting work violates the non-compete agreement, the primary employers can fire them and seek injunctions, but be advised that non-compete agreements are illegal in some states.

The best way to control moonlighting that involves corporate assets is through fleet policy that specifies permitted usage. Fleet policy should include:

Prohibition of loaning the vehicle to unauthorized users, hiring it out to others, using it in any livery operations, or any other enterprise not approved by the company.

Prohibition of attaching equipment to a company vehicle, such as snowplows, winches, or roof-top carriers to be used for personal business.

Prohibition of towing of trailers, boats, or campers.

It is important to make fleet policy flexible enough to cover unanticipated situations. If fleet policy lists prohibited vehicle uses, be sure to include the qualifying phrase, “including, but not limited to.” No fleet policy can be 100% successful in preventing employees from abusing personal use privileges, but, it can inhibit them and spell out the consequences of doing so.

Another way to minimize employee moonlighting is by tracking employees legally through GPS to detect location and unauthorized usage of vehicles by monitoring estimated fuel costs, mileage, and other metrics that you choose.

Making Potential Moonlighters Think Twice

Fleet managers must be vigilant about the unauthorized use of corporate assets and aggressively implement preventive measures that will make unscrupulous employees think twice before engaging in this deceitful activity.

Hold tutorials with employees to explain the capabilities of the GPS system to gently reinforce to wanna be moonlighters that their actions are being recorded. Explain to employees how inventory is tracked to inhibit the temptation of using company parts thinking no one will be the wiser.

Lastly, but most importantly, use a written fleet policy to spell out the prohibitions against unauthorized usage of corporate assets and the consequences.

]]>A growing number of employees are using their company vehicles as a tool to generate supplemental personal income for themselves. Unscrupulous service technicians are known to use company vans to moonlight for their personal business. Fleet managers must be vigilant about the unauthorized use of corporate assets and aggressively implement preventive measures.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/02/how-to-minimize-unauthorized-use-of-corporate-assets.aspx2018 Nissan Rogue with ProPilot Assisthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/NywK3p-EUXU/2018-nissan-rogue-with-propilot-assist.aspxPaul ClintonFri, 23 Feb 2018 17:35:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/driving-notes/story/2018/02/2018-nissan-rogue-with-propilot-assist.aspx

The Nissan Rogue has been widely embraced, including by fleet buyers, as a mass-market compact SUV that delivers a heavy dose of practicality.

Rogue has surpassed Altima as Nissan's best-selling vehicle, and it's been adopted in the pharmaceutical industry with sales reps and managers for its favorable total cost of ownership, solid fuel economy, appealing acquisition cost, and standard safety features.

The 2018 Rogue arrives as a very familiar vehicle with a few updates. Nissan is adding a semi-autonomous driving feature, called ProPilot Assist to a higher SL trim that allows a driver to maintain lane control and navigate in stop-and-go traffic.

ProPilot Assist, which was first rolled out on the 2018 Leaf, is considered a Level 2 autonomous feature that eases some of the burden of constant pedal movements in heavier traffic. The steering wheel contains a torque sensor that needs pressure from a driver's finger. Once that happens, the vehicle will self-correct within the highway driving lane to keep it from veering off the road. It will continue to maintain a safe driving distance from the vehicle ahead.

If the driver takes hands off the wheel, the vehicle will issue progressively louder audio alerts and evenentually bring the vehicle to a complete stop if there's no response. A small blue circular button on the right side of the steering wheel enables the system.

If the vehicle comes to a stop, the driver needs to push a resume button (RES+) just to the left of the blue button to re-engage the system.

While the system has its quirks, we could see it being one way to combat drowsy driving.

Other updates for 2018 include an updated infotainment system that's faster and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and Amazon Alexa skill compatibility through NissanConnect Services.

The 2018 Rogue will again be sold in three trim grades with S as the base model, followed by SV and SL. It retails for at least $22,615 for the base S and at least $27,615 for the SL with ProPilot Assist.

It's still powered by the 141-horsepower 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine mated to an Xtronic CVT with an Eco Mode switch.

We tested an all-wheel-drive Rogue SL that would retail for $36,625. It's would deliver 32 miles per gallon on the highway, 27 mpg combined, and 25 mpg in city driving.

]]>The 2018 Nissan Rogue arrives as a very familiar vehicle with a few updates, including a semi-autonomous driving feature called ProPilot Assist that could help combat drowsy driving.Photo by Vince Taroc.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/driving-notes/story/2018/02/2018-nissan-rogue-with-propilot-assist.aspxA Fleet Grows with the Cannabis Industryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/UQfKF4kYfaA/reefer-un-madness-a-fleet-grows-with-the-cannabis-industry.aspxChris BrownThu, 15 Feb 2018 11:45:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/article/story/2018/02/reefer-un-madness-a-fleet-grows-with-the-cannabis-industry.aspxJeff Breier stumbled onto his new business venture when he put one of his armored vehicles up for sale on Craigslist. “I got an overwhelming number of responses from security companies in the cannabis industry, and ‘ding!’ the bell rung,” he said.

The former police officer and security consultant then approached Todd Kleperis, a contact from security industry dealings in China. In early 2016 the pair opened Hardcar Security, a privately owned protection, transportation, and distribution company serving the California cannabis industry.

Under, Breier, COO, and Kleperis, CEO, the business has grown exponentially since, driven by the 2018 legalization of recreational marijuana in California as well as the tightrope walked by Hardcar’s clients. Cannabis sale and use is still illegal under federal law — meaning growers and dispensaries have to find non-traditional methods to manage revenues that can’t be banked traditionally.

At the same time, Hardcar is helping to establish best practices regarding the safety and security of cannabis products and cash, and the company is even providing input to state regulators.

As this industry matures, “Everybody is winging it,” Breier says.

A Protected FleetAfter retiring from police work, Breier spent 17 years in South America and Mexico driving armored cars and managing armored car fleets. “I was with Fortune 500 executives in hot zones with high violence and high kidnap rates,” he says.

Prepared with his new business idea and a background in armored vehicles, Breier approached a major vehicle armoring company to collaborate on a custom upfit that would meet the needs of the cannabis industry. “Based on our orders, they’re making a ‘canna-line’ for us,” he says.

The “canna-vans” — Ford Transits — are sourced through local dealers and routed directly to the upfitter.

In addition to armoring, the vans are equipped with safety and security technologies that Breier calls unprecedented in the security industry. Without getting into details (Breier is guarded for competitive and security reasons) the vans have a unique version of a starter interrupt system that involves a key fob, a geo fence, and a time window.

The vans are also equipped with telematics used to track the fleet and monitor driver behaviors. Breier worked with the telematics provider to customize an alert system that contacts him and law enforcement in the event of an incident.

Two vans have refrigeration units (“reefers”) that will hold a 20-degree temperature and are insulated to Department of Agriculture standards. One of the reefers is used specifically to transport a popular cannabis concentrate. “I call it an armored ice cream truck,” Breier says.

The fleet of six vans will soon grow by two more, both with refrigeration and part of a continuous pipeline. The top 20 growers and distributors are clients; Hardcar is building business with the next tier. “We need to be at 25 (vehicles) at this time next year to handle all of our customers,” he says.

Moving ProductVans on the long-haul routes rack up about 40,000 miles a year, while vans on the shorter Southern California runs accumulate 20,000 miles.

While the company has not yet needed to sell any vehicles, Breier says the specificity and cost of the upfits necessitates replacing major parts instead of ordering a new van. “The glass alone is worth more than a motor and transmission,” he says.

Owing to the nature and value of the assets, potential breakdowns are handled under strict guidelines. One van is always on hand to take over if needed. In the event of a breakdown, the driver must wait with the van until the spare arrives, at which point the cargo is transferred to the new van. The driver continues the “canna run” in the replacement van, while the second driver manages the process of repairing the breakdown.

For refrigerated product, Hardcar guarantees continuous temperature control. During a breakdown, the reefer vans have a built-in backup generator with a fuel tank good for eight hours.

Because cannabis is still illegal under federal law, the banking industry has stayed out of the market. As such, Hardcar will transfer money into a private vault service (“close to a mini Fort Knox”) and also act as an intermediary between cannabis companies and some banks.

Instant CoffeeHardcar’s agents are more than just drivers, Breier says. Predominantly ex-military and many returning from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “Their understanding of asset protection is already in them,” he says. “They have protected our country and our way of life.”

“My agents are instant coffee,” he says. “We add a little Hardcar water and they’re literally good to go.”As ex-military, Hardcar agents understand how to handle unexpected situations. “They think on their feet,” Breier says. “They’ll give us solutions on the spot and determine which ones have the least amount of risk.”

Hardcar pays its agents $25 an hour, well above the average for route delivery drivers of light trucks. The agents are trained in the specifics of cannabis distribution and how to help retail dispensaries follow a standardized set of protocols regarding chain of command. Many dispensaries, Breier says delicately, “are trying their best to come up to the corporate level.”

Owing to agent training and strict protocols, Hardcar claims “first-mover advantages” in relation to insurance. The shipments carry $2 million in cargo insurance, and are also covered for loss if seized by law enforcement. The (unnamed) insurance provider no longer writes this specific policy, though Hardcar is grandfathered in.

Cannabis Best PracticesHardcar hasn’t yet had any safety incidents — or even close calls — related to money or cannabis transfers, though assaults in general are on the rise, particularly in dispensary parking lots and during home deliveries. “Criminals are looking for the soft target, ‘the Susie in the minivan,’” he says.According to Breier, this is the most vulnerable link in the chain of custody. He mentions talking to a dispensary owner who just had her driver robbed at gunpoint, and she chalked it up as a cost of doing business.

For these reasons, Hardcar is working to establish a set of industry safety protocols regarding transporting and exchanging money and product. The protocols are designed to work with California’s regulations that require all dispensaries to have a camera system and a guard.

While agreeing with the intent of the regulation, Breier says it’s easy for a criminal to overcome that system, particularly involving underpaid guards. “There’s no hero there,” he says. “Once you put a gun in his ear, and say let us in and you’ll go home, of course he’ll let you in. He’s not stupid.”

One Hardcar program — termed Vendor Verify or Agent Verify depending on the type of client — is a GPS-based system that sends a series of messages to the destinations alerting them of the van’s arrival. In preparation for the Hardcar delivery, the program teaches guards how to do an “advance,” or sweep an area for threats, and then take the necessary steps if a threat is perceived. After the scan is completed, the guard accesses a touch-screen program on a tablet to signal all clear. When the van arrives, the guard escorts the Hardcar agent into the building.

States and the FedAs a pioneer in the logistics side of the cannabis industry, Hardcar has also become a focal point to help refine processes and define best practices on the state level.

The company is helping the state draft transportation guidelines based on the company’s white papers. One suggestion adopted by the state was the ability to perform shipments in vehicles not marked for commercial use.

Another challenge is helping the industry convert from paper to electronic invoicing and manifests. Hardcar is trialing two invoicing systems and testing their compatibility with the states’ software. The state is also working with Hardcar to define methods of collection and transfer of quarterly taxes. According to Breier, cannabis businesses are eager to follow the same protocols of any mainstream retail store. “The goal is to get compliant, corporate, safe, and sane.”

On the federal level, there are no signs of intent to decriminalize cannabis — in fact, the opposite might be true under the current administration.

Hardcar continues to deposit millions of dollars into the Federal Reserve for the largest growers and distributors in California. The irony of paying federal taxes on a still-illegal product is not lost on Breier. “They used to dump a duffle bag of money on the table at the IRS, and no one likes that,” he says.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class will receive a midcycle update for 2019 that tweaks the exterior styling and brings more power and standard features, the company announced.

The base C300 adds a dab of power with a 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine that makes 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine adds 9 hp and delivers power through a nine-speed automatic to a rear-wheel drivetrain. All-wheel drive is optional.

Driver-assist features rolled out with the new E-Class arrive, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

The vehicle will include the Comand infotainment system instead of the company's new MBUX system that will debut in the A-Class and arrive with the third-generation Sprinter.

The 2019 C-Class will go on sale later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to that time.

In addition, monochromatic “Sport” and “Black” appearance packages are offered, creating a broad mix of interior and exterior themes for the new 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star model.

In 2002, Ram Truck was the first manufacturer to recognize the strength of the pickup truck market in Texas and to offer an exclusive edition for the state. The Ram Lone Star edition was the first truck designed by Texans and built specifically for Texans.

The Ram Lone Star edition has been by far the brand’s best-selling model in Texas, accounting for more than 50% percent of the 1/2-ton mix there. Since the Lone Star’s debut, Ram has sold more than 250,000 of the Texas-only models.

The 2019 Ram 1500 interior is completely redesigned, using all-new features, technology, and premium materials to make it the class leader in quality, comfort, and durability. Four interior trim levels, and a choice of six-passenger bench front or optional five-passenger bucket seats, are offered on the Lone Star.

Several option packages are available with the Lone Star in order to give buyers their choice of function-specific enhancements. They include a Bed Utility Group, a 4x4 Off-road Group, a Protection Group, Trailer Tow Mirrors and Brake Group, Max Towing Package, and Premium Lighting Group.

Available only in Texas, 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star models are distinguished by unique “Lone Star” tailgate and interior badges.

The Lone Star will initially be offered with the 5.7L HEMI V-8. A powerful and fuel-efficient HEMI with the eTorque mild hybrid system is also available. A 3.6L V-6 Pentastar with eTorque will join the powertrain offerings later in the year.

The 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star is available with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 powertrains, Crew and Quad Cab configurations and 5 ft.-7 inch (Crew only) and 6 ft.-4 inch bed lengths.

All-new 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star editions will go on sale in the first quarter of 2018. They are manufactured at FCA’s Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant.

]]>Ram unveiled the 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star edition — the all-new version of the original “Texas Truck” — at the Dallas Auto Show, the heart of America’s truck country.The Lone Star will initially be offered with the 5.7L HEMI V-8. A powerful and fuel-efficient HEMI with the eTorque mild hybrid system is also available. (Image courtesy of FCA US)http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/ram-unveils-new-lone-star-edition.aspxWhat a Connected Fleet Means to Avis (and Car Rental)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/LWIH5orWH7s/what-a-connected-fleet-means-to-avis-and-car-rental.aspxChris BrownWed, 14 Feb 2018 13:35:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/02/what-a-connected-fleet-means-to-avis-and-car-rental.aspx

All vehicles will be connected someday — to their owners, each other, and the amorphous, all-powerful “grid.” This connectivity will revolutionize transportation, even though we won’t yet grasp its full impact until we’re well past full connectivity.

For auto rental, a milestone on this journey is Avis Budget Group’s announcement to connect 50,000 rental units with telematics technology. To be sure, car rental companies have been using telematics to track fleet vehicles for years, and the technology is inherent in carsharing models, including Avis subsidiary Zipcar. Yet this initiative is noteworthy in its scale — to create a global car rental fleet, says Arthur Orduna, Avis Budget Group’s chief innovation officer.

He says the goal, however, is not to explode the traditional car rental model tomorrow, but rather guide its evolution into a continually refined user experience.

The changes will happen incrementally, from the low-hanging fruit of applications available today to the big picture of a connected future. “The ‘tip of the tip’ of the iceberg is self-service and counter bypass,” Orduna says. “What we’re talking about is a data-driven ecosystem.”

How does a connected fleet manifest in the near future?

The Avis connectivity model provides real-time location, odometer readings, and fuel measurement, engine diagnostics, and remote vehicle access. It also provides a way to communicate with the renter.

The technology would allow the digitally authenticated renter to switch or upgrade to a specific car while on the runway, bypass the counter, and then bypass the parking lot checkout kiosk. “This builds on what we provide today to our Avis Preferred customers and (those using) the Avis Now app,” Orduna says.

Shortening vehicle pickup and drop-off times and sidestepping long counter lines — a CSI backbreaker — would free up Avis personnel to act more as ambassadors, Orduna says.

Without traditional over-the-counter interaction, some worry that sales of ancillary products and services would slip. While Avis is learning how those sales will translate into the digital realm, the real opportunity is to leverage communication with the renter during the actual rental.

“A connected experience creates new categories of ancillary services that are accessed, transacted, and fulfilled as part of the digital ecosystem,” Orduna says.

Obvious opportunities lie in location-based services, such as connecting the renter to tourist attractions or the highest-rated boutique coffee shop based on their “geo-fences.”

Rental contract information and location could be mashed with fuel level to notify renters of a discount from a nearby fuel provider, along with turn-by-turn directions. If the renter is about to turn in the car, the reminder could also help avoid a refueling fee.

In a truly connected environment, the vehicle connects not only with retailers but also a city’s public services to warn of construction or places to avoid. “We can start mixing all of those together,” Orduna says. “That’s really powerful.”

Internally, a connected, geo-located fleet allows for better fleet management — anticipating fleet needs at a certain location and using the data, in aggregate, to pinpoint services and price accordingly.

Looking out further, many uses aren’t yet known. That’s okay; the point today is being ready to take advantage. “(The technology) gives us the flexibility to experiment to see how this will evolve, and understand how these digital on-demand services will be consumed,” Orduna says.

This constantly evolving path may end up with a large percentage of traditional car rental fleets morphing into a free-floating, carsharing model, such as car2go and Zipcar Flex in London. Yet the immediate goal is to better manage the fleet and improve the user experience. With that, greater loyalty and new revenue opportunities will follow.

“We want the customer to say, ‘wow, that was really cool, that was really convenient,’” Orduna says.

]]>Counter bypass is just the beginning. The promise of a “data-driven ecosystem” that connects renters with the rental agency, retail services, and even the city is a better managed fleet, an improved user experience, and new revenue opportunities during the rental itself.Within three model years, automakers such as Ford pledge that 90% of new models will be connected. (Photo via Safercar.gov)http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/02/what-a-connected-fleet-means-to-avis-and-car-rental.aspxVehicle Dependability Improves 9%: J.D. Powerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/D1g_XaI8O7A/vehicle-dependability-improves-9-j-d-power.aspxWed, 14 Feb 2018 11:24:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/vehicle-dependability-improves-9-j-d-power.aspxBuick and Lexus ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability, which improved 9% overall in the past year, according to J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study.

The study measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2015 model year vehicles. The overall industry average improved to 142 PP100. The improvement is the first since the 2013 study, which is now in its 29th year.

Commercial fleets using a three-year lifecycle approach to replacement units could be positioned to take advantage of higher resale values of 2015 vehicles, fleet management company experts said.

"With observed vehicle dependability rising to the highest levels in the last five years, some fleet managers may be more inclined to extend vehicle replacement cycles, while others may take advantage of anticipated sales increases in the used vehicle market," said George Albright, assistant director of fleet maintenance for Merchants Fleet Management. "In either case, fleet managers should leverage this report as an additional tool when evaluating their choices, especially if considering replacement options between multiple manufacturers."

In the study, Lexus ranked highest in the study with 99 PP100, while Porsche was second with 100 PP100. Among mass market brands, Buick led the way with a score of 116 PP100.

Fiat is the most improved brand with owners reporting 106 fewer PP100 than in 2017. Infiniti has also seen major improvement by moving to fourth place from 29th a year ago. Other brands with strong improvement, include Nissan (37 PP100 fewer) and Ford (31 PP100 fewer). Kia, Dodge, and Nissan recorded their best-ever rankings.

The study also names the top vehicle among eight car categories and 11 SUV, van and pickup segments. Toyota vehicles including the Prius and Tacoma topped six of the segments. General Motors won five segment awards for the Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, Traverse, and Buick LaCrosse. Ford earned segment awards for its Expedition and Super Duty trucks.

In-vehicle technology continues to cause the most problems with audio, communications, entertainment, and navigation bringing the most complaints. Voice recognition (9.3 PP100) and Bluetooth connectivity (7.7 PP100) ranked as the most common problems.

Other fleet experts urged fleet managers to stay on script with a lifecycle evaluation based on time and miles.

"Typically, fleet managers cycle based on original parameters, so even though dependability may have increased, they are still going to cycle using the same length of time/miles," said Dan Powers, Donlen's remarketing director. "From a remarketing perspective, news of increased dependability will help when selling units in the market place."

]]>Buick and Lexus ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability, which improved 9% overall in the past year, according to J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study. Fleets using a three-year replacement model may benefit from higher resale prices.Chart courtesy of J.D. Power.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/vehicle-dependability-improves-9-j-d-power.aspxWhy Competent Fleet Managers Are Terminatedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/sPoU7fBThao/why-competent-fleet-managers-are-terminated.aspxMike AntichWed, 14 Feb 2018 09:22:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/02/why-competent-fleet-managers-are-terminated.aspxOver the years, I have known many competent fleet managers. But, like salmons swimming upstream, not every promising fleet manager survives the challenges and rigors of day-to-day fleet management. It is understandable when fleet managers are fired for making expensive mistakes or when caught engaging in ethical transgressions, but, sadly, many more are terminated for circumstances that are entirely avoidable. Here are five common reasons why competent fleet managers are terminated and how to avoid it.

1. Resistant to Change

The fleet manager role has changed dramatically over the past 20 years as staffs have disappeared, outsourcing became the norm, and procurement groups gained a greater role in fleet sourcing. Fleet is ever-changing and the fleet managers who survive are those who adapt to the change instead of fighting it. The corporate kiss of death is resisting change, or being perceived as an obstructionist. Instead of perceived as a problem solver, these fleet managers are viewed as part of the problem.

Likewise, fleet managers must avoid being perceived as closed-minded. While you may be recognized for your strong industry knowledge, you do not want develop a reputation of not being open to new ideas. Even if you are the in-house fleet expert, someone else may have a better idea. Be open to ideas from anywhere, which includes peers, suppliers, drivers, and other employees. It is important to be not only be open to change, but also open-minded.

2. The Old Dog Who Doesn’t Learn New Tricks

This perception commonly occurs mid-career after a fleet manager has mastered the fundamentals of fleet management. These fleet managers grow complacent and stop learning. Their attitude is: My time is scarce, why bother to learn new things when the fleet is running smoothly? As the years progress, these fleet managers attend fewer and fewer fleet management seminars, they can’t seem to find the time to read industry publications, or even attend webinars or conferences to keep pace with best practices. While they may be paid members of industry associations, they are not engaged. Eventually, this complacency and resistance to change fosters a feeling in management that its time for a change.

3. No Time to Coddle User Departments

Managing fleet assets is a full-time job that can consume every minute of a work day. Vulnerable fleet managers grouse they don’t have the time to understand what other departments are doing because they’re busy staying abreast of their departmental activities. These fleet managers have forgotten that they are a support department whose purpose is to help user departments to achieve their goals. They have a narrow-minded focus of fleet management. While they may be managing at a “fleet impactful” level, they are not managing it at a “company impactful” level. They fail to link strategic corporate objectives to the management of the fleet. This cultivates user-group discontent that will ultimately percolate up the management hierarchy to your detriment.

4. Too Humble and Not Self-Promoting

Let’s face it, most people in your company do not fully understand what you do and, as a result, do not appreciate your achievements. If you do not promote your accomplishments, chances are high that no one will know about them. If you don’t define yourself within the company, your detractors will do the job for you. A humble fleet manager is often relegated to mediocrity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can’t be negatively perceived as an unabashed self-promoter because this typically encourages curmudgeons to continually second guess your accomplishments. You need a balance. Be prepared to defend your position, and, most importantly, be prepared to show objectors the direct benefits to their departments that have resulted from these accomplishments. As Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, once said: “Control your own destiny or someone else will.” These are wise words that many fleet managers don’t take to heart.

5. Averse to Adopting Technological Solutions

Your company and its strategic suppliers are making ongoing and significant investments in new productivity technologies. To be effective, this technology must be used. Do not develop a reputation as being “old school” and unwilling to incorporate new technology into your work routine. This hesitancy adds to a misperception that you are resistant to change or of being an "old dog" not wanting to learn new tricks. It is annoying for co-workers who have to develop “work arounds” in dealing with you because you are not technologically savvy.

Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks

Most fleet managers learn fleet management through “on-the-job-training.” Fleet managers who thrive in the “school of hard knocks” are those who learn to lead and coach drivers, multiple management levels, and supplier partners. In the corporate world, not everything is black and white and these fleet managers learn to make decisions when faced with ambiguity. They become leaders who recognize leadership is more about serving than being served.

]]>Over the years, I have known many competent fleet managers. But, like salmons swimming upstream, not every promising fleet manager survives the challenges and rigors of day-to-day fleet management. It is understandable when fleet managers are fired for making expensive mistakes or when caught engaging in ethical transgressions, but, sadly, many more are terminated for circumstances that are entirely avoidable.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/02/why-competent-fleet-managers-are-terminated.aspxXL Hybrids Offers Ship-Thru Codes on GM Vanshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/9-1HWExX5NA/xl-hybrids-new-fleet-electrification-ship-thru-codes.aspxTue, 13 Feb 2018 12:42:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/02/xl-hybrids-new-fleet-electrification-ship-thru-codes.aspx

XL Hybrids, Inc., announced that all-new ship-thru codes are available for its XLH hybrid-electric system on the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans and cutaways. As part of the agreement, fleet managers can order and take delivery of XLH-upfitted Chevrolet and GMC vans starting with 6.0L models. The 4.3L models will be added in the third quarter.

“XL Hybrids is streamlining the path for customers to electrify their Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana fleets in a way that’s simple, cost-effective, and efficient,” said Clay Siegert, chief operating officer for XL Hybrids.

Installation of the XLH hybrid-electric system can be completed in a few hours as a ship-through upfit. XL Hybrids’ ship-through codes offer a choice of installation at Knapheide Manufacturing or Adrian Steel, both located near General Motors’ Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant.

Fleets with XLH technology can enjoy up to a 25% percent increase in fuel economy and accompanying reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions, while still maintaining the base vehicles’ rated power, torque and work capability. XLH technology leaves the GM engine, transmission, fuel system and exhaust system intact. The XLH upfit includes XL Link technology, which collects hundreds of operational data points – such as miles driven, fuel usage, idling time, and average speed – to monitor system health, ensure vehicle uptime, and report MPG performance from the field.

]]>XL Hybrids, Inc., announced that ship-thru codes are available for its XLH hybrid-electric system on the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans and cutaways.Fleet&#39;s can now order and take delivery of XLH-upfitted Chevrolet and GMC vans (pictured) starting with 6.0L models. (Image courtesy of XL Hybrids)http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/green-fleet/news/story/2018/02/xl-hybrids-new-fleet-electrification-ship-thru-codes.aspxQ. What is WEX’s position in the fleet market?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/-SYtvUo_TS8/q-what-is-wex-s-position-in-the-fleet-market.aspxBernie KavanaghMon, 12 Feb 2018 14:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/02/q-what-is-wex-s-position-in-the-fleet-market.aspxA. Established in 1983, we are an industry leader known for developing technology that pioneered the closed-loop, proprietary fuel card network.

Many of our competitors offer open-loop products, such as a traditional purchasing card -- like a MasterCard, a VISA -- where the bank may not own the entire chain. So you might have an issuing bank, someone else doing the processing for you, another institution doing the billing. Whereas -- in the WEX world, on the fuel card side -- it’s a closed-loop network, which means it’s a proprietary network. We release specifications to the merchants that accept our card. That means we control the data. We are the issuer, the processor, we do the billing, we issue the credit, etc. We own the entire chain.

What that allows us to do is to control what data we capture, and what to do with it. It allows us to have a more secure network, because we’re not passing data to anybody else waiting for it to come back.

So that’s what fleets really have come to appreciate over the years.

One of our other lines of business is our Virtual business. We started that back in 2000. Very different from our competitors -- who are owned by a bank, or who use a bank. We own a bank. So we issue, through our bank, a MasterCard. Most of the issuance is done by our Virtual business. And we would routinely look at that and say: “Is that an opportunity for us to look at the fleet business and maybe migrate there?” Our customers and partners, still to this day, will tell us that the value in that closed-loop network is worth keeping.

]]>A. Established in 1983, we are an industry leader known for developing technology that pioneered the closed-loop, proprietary fuel card network...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/02/q-what-is-wex-s-position-in-the-fleet-market.aspxAmazon Moves to Launch Its Own Delivery Fleethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/BgR11I-qPIU/reports-amazon-moves-to-launch-its-own-p-d-fleet.aspxMon, 12 Feb 2018 11:37:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/news/story/2018/02/reports-amazon-moves-to-launch-its-own-p-d-fleet.aspx

As if delivery drones weren’t enough, Amazon seems set on causing further disruption in the trucking and logistics industry. Reports emerged late last week that the internet-retail giant is exploring plans to launch its own parcel delivery service.

Known as "Shipping with Amazon," or SWA, the service will involve the online retailer picking up parcels from businesses and shipping them to consumers. It's expected to roll out in Los Angeles in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

According to various news sources, including the Wall Street Journal and Money, Amazon, which helped launch the boom in online shopping and has taken the business to incredible heights, has been straining the capability of existing P&D (pickup and delivery) companies with the sheer volume of its online sales. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has expressed repeatedly his desire for fast, efficient package delivery as an integral part of successful online retail sales, which led to the company’s now-famous experiments with home delivery drones beginning in 2015.

Now, it appears Amazon may be ramping up to follow through on its previously speculated intention to launch a proprietary P&D fleet. Money reports that the company recently leased 40 air freight aircraft and begun arranging maritime freight shipments from China while quietly building up a new force of urban delivery drivers.

Money notes that UPS and FedEx have downplayed the threat of an Amazon delivery service in the past, pointing out the massive investment and time required to put an air and ground delivery network in place that could rival their own businesses. However, Money also notes that with $178 billion in sales and $3 billion in profit last year, along with cash reserves estimated to be more than $20 billion in cash, Amazon is uniquely placed to launch its own air and land P&D service should Bezos give the marching orders.

Regardless of how aggressive any Amazon move into the P&D space might be, it is likely the online retailer would have to continue to use both UPS and FedEx, as well as other shippers, for quite some time until any proprietary P&D fleet was able to handle the company’s massive volume of freight on its own. This has led some industry watchers to speculate the latest moves by Bezos and Amazon are intended to leverage better shipping rates and service from shippers.

]]>Recent moves suggest Amazon, the online retail giant, is taking steps to establish its own air and land parcel delivery service.Recent moves by Amazon have led some industry observers to speculate the online retailer is poised to launch its own parcel delivery service soon. Photo: Amazonhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/news/story/2018/02/reports-amazon-moves-to-launch-its-own-p-d-fleet.aspxVideo Safety Tip: Correct Steering Techniqueshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/R10kBr3RdI8/video-safety-tip-correct-steering-techniques.aspxMon, 12 Feb 2018 10:07:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/video-safety-tip-correct-steering-techniques.aspx

Steering a vehicle is a behavior that rarely demands a second thought, because as one of the first things a driver learns it becomes second nature. Drivers will often use hand-over-hand steering, which many driving instructors say is a bad habit.

Several experts say hand-over-hand steering isn't the safest steering method for two main reasons.

First, with hand-over-hand steering the driver’s arm crosses over the center of the steering wheel where the airbag is located. In the event that airbag deploys, it could cause serious injury to the driver's arm. Secondly, with hand-over-hand steering, the driver’s hands leave the steering wheel — that means less control.

Here are a few tips for mastering proper steering:

Drivers should never take their hands off the steering wheel, even during turns. Keeping one’s hands on the wheel provides a driver with more control.

Hands should be placed on the steering wheel in the 9 o’clock/3 o’clock position. Experts say this position provides equal balance for defensive driving maneuvers and making left and right turns.

Thumbs should be placed along the side of the steering wheel—not over or wrapped around the steering wheel. Experts say that the thumb and index fingers provide the most energy and power, making it a lot easier to turn the wheel.

Use the “push-pull” steering technique for making turns where one hand slides on the wheel as the other pulls down.

Driving instructor Andrew Wunderlich, owner and operator of Teen Road to Safety and a former LAPD officer who trained police recruits in defensive driving techniques, demonstrates proper steering in this video. To watch the video, click on the photo or link below the headline.

California, Delaware, Louisiana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia achieved the best ratings in the "2018 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws," which grades states on the adoption of 16 fundamental traffic safety laws.

The states that ranked worst in terms of the number of essential laws enacted include Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.

The states' report card — now in its 15th year — was complied by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. The report identifies 407 dangerous gaps in traffic safety laws nationwide, ranging from enforcement of seat belts to cell phone restrictions. It is intended to serve as a roadmap for lawmakers to take action to curb preventable safety hazards on America's streets and highways, specifically now, as 2018 legislative sessions are getting underway.

The report also highlights the need for advanced motor vehicle technologies in all cars such as collision avoidance systems and automated speed and red-light enforcement, as well as the means to improve large truck and rear seat safety.

Nearly 100 people are killed and 6,500 more are injured in motor vehicle accidents every day. Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety believe these staggering statistics can be reduced through a dual pronged approach: By enacting proven safety laws and equipping vehicles with advanced technology.

]]>The "2018 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws" grades states on the adoption of 16 fundamental traffic safety laws.Photo via Jusmar/Wikimedia.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/these-6-states-adopted-16-essential-traffic-safety-laws.aspxQ. How large are you in the fleet business today?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/_lagFv9hK58/q-how-large-are-you-in-the-fleet-business-today.aspxBernie KavanaghMon, 12 Feb 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/02/q-how-large-are-you-in-the-fleet-business-today.aspxA. We have 10.5 million WEX fuel cards in circulation worldwide. We’ve got a fleet application in North America. We have a fleet business in Brazil, Australia and in Europe. We process roughly 32 million transactions a month. Data is another valuable point. People want to do more and more things with data. And we’ve got a lot of data.

]]>A. We have 10.5 million WEX fuel cards in circulation worldwide...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/02/q-how-large-are-you-in-the-fleet-business-today.aspxQ. What kind of tools do you give fleet managers to optimize fuel consumption?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/uD28uiMJYac/q-what-kind-of-tools-do-you-give-fleet-managers-to-optimize-fuel-consumption.aspxBernie KavanaghMon, 12 Feb 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-faq-fuel-management/story/2018/02/q-what-kind-of-tools-do-you-give-fleet-managers-to-optimize-fuel-consumption.aspxA. We start off with basic levels of consumption: usage, trends, when they’re buying, where they’re buying. Then we’ll drill down a bit deeper to say: within a given geography, how did you buy against that area? Within a 3-mile radius where you were buying, did you buy at below-average or above-average prices? And we give them a scorecard based on that.

Then we give them tools to say: Instead of going to this location, you could go to that station over here and save 6 cents a gallon. Here’s the potential saving you could make. And then we benchmark that and track it each month. And we show them how they’re doing against their projected savings.

Five General Motors vehicles from the 2018 model year have the lowest cost to own in their categories over a five-year period, while four Toyota or Lexus vehicles also made an annual list from Kelley Blue Book.

The automotive research firm named Hyundai as the brand with the lowest cost to own and Acura as the lowest-cost luxury brand. Top vehicles were selected in 22 categories.

Hyundai's Sonata topped the mid-size car category, while Acura's ILX was at the top of the entry-level luxury car list. Ford's F-150 was the top full-size pickup. The Honda Odyssey was the top minivan in the only van category.

]]>Five General Motors vehicles from the 2018 model year have the lowest cost to own in their categories over a five-year period, while four Toyota or Lexus vehicles also made an annual list from Kelley Blue Book.Logo: KBBhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/remarketing/news/story/2018/02/kbb-names-lowest-5-year-cost-to-own-vehicles.aspxHyundai Elantra Qualifies for Top Safety Pick+http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/BE4c0iF2hss/hyundai-elantra-qualifies-for-top-safety-pick.aspxFri, 09 Feb 2018 16:06:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/hyundai-elantra-qualifies-for-top-safety-pick.aspx

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest award, the Top Safety Pick+, when the compact car is equipped with optional front crash prevention and good-rated headlights.

The 2018 Elantra earned the award after achieving an acceptable rating in the new passenger-side small overlap front crash test. The acceptable rating applies only to Elantras built after December when the manufacturer made specific upgrades to the door-hinge pillar and door sill to improve protection.

Criteria for capturing a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ award include a good rating in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests; an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap test; an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention; and a good headlight rating.

After the Elantra underwent its most recent passenger-side test, measures taken from the dummy indicated a low risk of injuries in a crash of the same severity. While the dummy’s head contacted the front airbag, it slid off toward the right, leaving the head at risk of striking a forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and provided sufficient coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The passenger space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of 7 inches at the lower door-hinge pillar.

The Elantra's optional front crash prevention system earns a superior rating. In IIHS track tests at 12 mph, the vehicle avoided a collision. In 25-mph track tests, the impact speed was reduced by an average of 22 mph. The system also includes a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

The Elantra's optional high-intensity discharge headlights earned a good rating. They include high-beam assist, a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles. The standard halogen lights earn a poor rating.

]]>The 2018 Hyundai Elantra has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest award, the Top Safety Pick+, when the compact sedan is equipped with optional front crash prevention and good-rated headlights.Photo of small overlap front driver side crash test courtesy of IIHS.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/hyundai-elantra-qualifies-for-top-safety-pick.aspxDrowsy Driving a Factor in Nearly 10% of Crasheshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/hOO2NKZGpmI/nearly-10-of-all-crashes-may-involve-drowsy-driving.aspxFri, 09 Feb 2018 09:27:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/nearly-10-of-all-crashes-may-involve-drowsy-driving.aspx

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety explores the relationship between drowsy driving and motor vehicle crashes — finding 9.5% of drivers involved in crashes to be classified as drowsy. Of the 589 crashes studied, 56 drivers were rated as drowsy over the three minutes immediately prior to the crash.

Drowsiness was identified in 8.8% to 9.5% of all crashes examined and 10.6% to 10.8% of crashes that resulted in significant property damage, airbag deployment, or injury.

The study — "Prevalence of Drowsy Driving Crashes: Estimates from a Large-Scale Naturalistic Driving Study" — also found that a high proportion of crashes (54.4%) involved drivers under the age of 25, though this population was deliberately oversampled.

Drowsiness varied significantly in relation to lighting conditions. For example, drowsiness was evident in over three times the proportion of crashes in darkness as in daylight. Moreover, half of the crashes that involved drowsiness occurred in darkness.

The study draws on data from the federally funded Second Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Driving Study.

It assesses drowsiness in 3,593 drivers using a validated method — the PERCLOS measure, which is the percentage of time that a person’s eyes are closed over a defined measurement period. Drivers from six sites around the U.S. were monitored continually via in-vehicle cameras and other data collection between October of 2010 and December of 2013.

While official U.S. government statistics indicate that only 1% to 2% of all crashes involve drowsy driving, this new study suggests the problem may be a far greater.

Uber and Waymo have agreed to terms on a settlement in a lawsuit over alleged stolen autonomous vehicle technology that will give Waymo a stake in Uber and absolve the company of wrongdoing. The settlement came amid legal proceedings.

Waymo will reportedly receive a relatively small amount of equity in Uber equal to about $245 million, or 0.34% of Uber’s $72 billion value. The two companies will also work together to ensure that Waymo’s Lidar and software in no way directly influenced Uber’s own designs. Uber stated that while it does not believe it has stolen any trade secrets or used Waymo’s proprietary self-driving technology, it will cooperate with Waymo to ensure the Lidar and software represents the company’s own work.

“While I cannot erase the past, I can commit, on behalf of every Uber employee, that we will learn from it, and it will inform our actions going forward,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber in a statement. “I’ve told Alphabet that the incredible people at Uber ATG are focused on ensuring that our development represents the very best of Uber’s innovation and experience in self-driving technology.”

The lawsuit stems from an accusation last year by Waymo, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, alleging that certain trade secrets related to the company’s custom built Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor technology were stolen by Uber employee Anthony Levandowski.

Levandowski worked for Waymo before leaving to start his own autonomous truck company Otto. Otto was purchased by Uber and Levandowski became a key figure in the company’s autonomous vehicle technology efforts.

As a result of the accusations, Levandowski was forced to step down from his position and was later fired by Uber. When ordered to testify in the lawsuit, he invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.

The trial finally began on Feb. 5 and ended quickly on Feb. 9, after a year of back and forth between the two companies.

“To our friends at Alphabet: we are partners, you are an important investor in Uber, and we share a deep belief in the power of technology to change people’s lives for the better,” said Khosrowshahi. “Of course, we are also competitors. And while we won’t agree on everything going forward, we agree that Uber’s acquisition of Otto could and should have been handled differently.”

]]>Uber and Waymo have agreed to terms on a settlement in a lawsuit over alleged stolen autonomous vehicle technology that will give Waymo a stake in Uber and absolve the company of wrongdoing.The lawsuit centered around Uber&#39;s acquisiton of Otto, an autonomous truck company started by a former Waymo employee. Photo: Uberhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/uber-waymo-reach-autonomous-vehicle-technology-lawsuit-settlement.aspxMontana Drunk Driving Laws Worst in the Nation: MADDhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/_ehYvzQhl0M/montana-drunk-driving-laws-worst-in-the-nation-madd.aspxThu, 08 Feb 2018 15:37:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/montana-drunk-driving-laws-worst-in-the-nation-madd.aspx

Montana's drunk driving enforcement rates as the worst in the nation, while five other states have the most robust enforcement in the nation, according to a report from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

The Jan. 24 report rated every state's drunk driving enforcement using a scale of one to five stars. Montana earned just a half-star, and five additional lowest-ranking states — Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Wyoming — scored 1.5 stars.

While no state earned a perfect score, five top-ranking states received 4.5 stars. These included Arizona, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, and West Virginia.

The report rates state enforcement of drunk driving in five categories:

Conducting sobriety checkpoints

Ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders with a .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and above

30 states and the District of Columbia require ignition interlocks after the first offense.

37 states and the District of Columbia conduct sobriety checkpoints — with 32 and the District of Columbia conducting them at least once a month.

41 states and the District of Columbia immediately revoke driving privileges while the offender awaits trial.

47 states and the District of Columbia have additional penalties for driving drunk with a child passenger, but only 7 states treat this crime as a felony.

The new report, which also highlights drunk driving countermeasures, is part of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Launched in 2006, the campaign has helped to reduce drunk driving deaths by 23.5%, according to Colleen Sheehey-Church, national president of MADD.

Over 10,000 people still lose their lives every year to drunk driving. After years of steady decline, drunk driving deaths increased in 2015 and 2016.

To motivate states to strengthen their drunk driving laws, MADD’s rating system allows for half-star ratings for states that need to improve their existing laws. For example, the states that conduct sobriety checkpoints receive a half star, but those that conduct them at least once a month receive a full star.

]]>Montana's drunk driving enforcement rates as the worst in the nation, while five other states have the most robust enforcement in the nation, according to a report from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).Photo via Pixabay.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/montana-drunk-driving-laws-worst-in-the-nation-madd.aspxMaryland May Crack Down on Repeat DUIshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/jVwSEK9zD0s/new-bill-cracks-down-on-repeat-duis-in-maryland.aspxThu, 08 Feb 2018 15:15:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/new-bill-cracks-down-on-repeat-duis-in-maryland.aspx

Driving while intoxicated would become a felony after a third offense in Maryland under leglislation proposed on Jan. 22 by Gov. Larry Hogan.

The legislation promises stiff financial penalties and could serve as a deterrent to repeat offenders. It has been introduced as Senate Bill 296 and House Bill 349.

Under current Maryland law, a person found guilty after three of more DUIs would only serve a maximum of three years in prison, reports ABC News.

If the new legislation passes, a person convicted a fourth time would be given a felony charge and could be subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years and pay a penalty of as much as $10,000. The legislation would also impose the same penalties on anyone convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs who was previously convicted of a specified homicide, manslaughter, or life-threatening injury by motor vehicle.

Between 2003 and 2012, 1,716 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Maryland, according to a 2014 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

]]>Driving while intoxicated would become a felony after a third offense in Maryland under leglislation proposed on Jan. 22 by Gov. Larry Hogan.Photo via JSmith Photo/Flickr.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/new-bill-cracks-down-on-repeat-duis-in-maryland.aspxFord's 2019 Transit Connect Wagonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/iZ6YXgou02U/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspxThu, 08 Feb 2018 11:28:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/02/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspxFord unveiled its third-generation 2019 Transit Connect Wagon at the Chicago Auto Show. The compact passenger van adds new powertrains, an eight-speed transmission, and more standard safety equipment. Read the full story here. Photos courtesy of Ford.

]]>Ford unveiled its third-generation 2019 Transit Connect Wagon at the Chicago Auto Show. The compact passenger van adds new powertrains, an eight-speed transmission, and more standard safety equipment. Read the full story here. Photos courtesy of Ford.Ford&#39;s Transit Connect will enter its third generation in 2019 with many new features.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/02/ford-s-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspxFord Launches Third-Gen 2019 Transit Connect Wagonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/OsOoNppp3rw/ford-debuts-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspxThu, 08 Feb 2018 09:19:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/ford-debuts-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspx

Ford debuted the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon with new gasoline and diesel powertrains, a new eight-speed transmission, and a suite of safety technology as standard equipment at the Chicago Auto Show.

The passenger-hauling compact van is available in two wheelbases that can accommodate five or seven passengers and is offered in three trim levels — XL, XLT, and Titanium. The third-generation 2019 Transit Connect will go on sale in the fall of 2018.

On the exterior, the 2019 Transit Connect has a new front-end design incorporating the Ford-themed grille, which offers HID headlamps with LED lighting and LED fog lamps. Transit Connect Wagon offers dual sliding side doors and is available with roof rails that allow a number of accessories to be fitted to roof.

The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon can be powered by either a gasoline and diesel engine. The standard engine is a new 2.0L GDI four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection that comes with Auto Start-Stop. The engine is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Also new for the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon is a class-exclusive diesel engine. The 1.5L EcoBlue diesel engine is targeted for an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of at least 30 mpg on the highway. The diesel engine is also paired with the new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The short wheelbase version of the Transit Connect Wagon has a turning radius of 38.3 feet to facilitate maneuvering in congested urban fleet applications. The long wheelbase version offers increased interior cargo volume. The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon will have a segment-exclusive third-row seating. The second and third row seats can fold flat to provide cargo-carrying capability. There are 12-volt power ports for passenger use in the second and third row seats.

The Transit Connect Wagon will offer a towing capability of 2,000 pounds when paired with the available trailer tow package.

There are seven new standard driver-assist technologies including standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which is included with the Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. Also available is Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, and a Lane Keeping System.

On the interior, there is a redesigned dashboard with available 6.5-inch touchscreen, a digital driver information center in the cluster, and available wireless charging for a mobile device. There is an embedded 4G LTE modem as standard equipment.

]]>Ford debuted the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon with new gasoline and diesel powertrains, a new eight-speed transmission, and a suite of safety technology as standard equipment at the Chicago Auto Show.Photo courtesy of Ford.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/ford-debuts-2019-transit-connect-wagon.aspx5 U.S. Cities Rank Among World’s Most Traffic-Congested Areashttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/fGkrbIR5D8Y/five-u-s-cities-rank-among-world-s-worst-traffic-congested-areas.aspxWed, 07 Feb 2018 05:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/five-u-s-cities-rank-among-world-s-worst-traffic-congested-areas.aspx

For the sixth consecutive year, Los Angeles topped the list of the world’s most gridlocked cities, with drivers spending 102 hours in congestion in 2017 during peak time periods, according to the annual INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.

The U.S. accounted for five of the Top 10 cities worldwide with the worst traffic congestion. In addition to Los Angeles, New York City tied with Moscow for second place with 91 hours in congestion, San Francisco (79 hours) ranked fifth, Atlanta (70 hours) ranked eighth, and Miami (64 hours) ranked tenth.

INRIX analyzed 1,360 cities across 38 countries. Based on the findings, the U.S. ranked as the most congested developed country in the world, with drivers spending an average of 41 hours a year in traffic during peak hours. The report concludes that congestion costs drivers nearly $305 billion in 2017, an average of $1,445 per driver.

While the economic impact is one issue, gridlock can also have a major impact on road safety. Experts have long known that frayed nerves from sitting in hours of congestion can lead to aggressive behavior.

A study published in 2016 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 78% of U.S. drivers reported having engaged in at least one aggressive driving behavior during the past year. The most common behaviors included: Intentionally tailgating another vehicle (50.8%); yelling at another driver (46.6%); and honking the horn “to show annoyance or anger” (44.5%). The study suggests that underlying issues in the driving environment, such as congestion, can contribute to aggressive driving.

However, the new data from INRIX implies that traffic congestion across the country is unlikely to clear up anytime soon. Additional noteworthy facts from the report include:

New York’s Cross Bronx Expressway topped the list as the U.S.’s worst corridor for the third year in a row, with the average driver wasting 118 hours per year

Commuters within Boston and San Francisco had the highest U.S. congestion rates on arterial and city streets during the peak commute hours (23 percent)

The worst downtown slowdowns were in El Paso, Texas, where speeds dropped from 43 mph at free flow speeds to 5 mph when congested

New York businesses suffered the most from congestion with an average of 14 percent of travel time on weekdays in gridlock and where drivers wasted the most daytime hours stuck in traffic in the entire U.S.

Santa Cruz, Calif., had the worst overall daytime congestion on arterial and highways, with drivers spending 12 percent of their days sitting in traffic.

]]>For the sixth consecutive year, Los Angeles topped the list of the world’s most gridlocked cities, with drivers spending 102 hours in congestion in 2017 during peak time periods, according to the annual INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.Photo via Haljackey/Wikimedia.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/five-u-s-cities-rank-among-world-s-worst-traffic-congested-areas.aspxInfrastructure Funding Will Take Courage From Trump, Congress: AAAhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/sj3RXfqJ-fw/aaa-urges-trump-to-invest-in-infrastructure-funding.aspxTue, 06 Feb 2018 16:26:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/aaa-urges-trump-to-invest-in-infrastructure-funding.aspxAAA's top executive is calling on President Trump and Congress to put the nation’s disintegrating transportation infrastructure ahead of partisan politics, and spell out funding sources to upgrade the nation's highways.

Marshall Doney, president and CEO of AAA, released his statement on the heels of President Trump’s State of the Union address in which the president called for a $1.5 trillion infrastructure investment, but did not make it clear where that money would come from.

“In order to adequately tackle the biggest problems facing our infrastructure, it is going to take cooperation and courage from many on both sides of the aisle,” Doney wrote in his statement.

The statement emphasizes that AAA was disappointed the president did not use the high-visibility speech as a platform to unveil a specific strategy to raise the funds for the large-scale investment, which was originally a campaign promise.

AAA said that U.S. bridges and roads that are in dire condition need to be addressed and urged U.S. Congress to take immediate and swift action.

“Now, it is time for our members of Congress to come together and show leadership by addressing the funding shortfall and providing a sustainable system for infrastructure maintenance and improvements,” said Doney.

Approximately 40,200 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2016 — a 6% increase over the year prior, according to the National Safety Council. Experts say failing roads and bridges are only making American drivers more vulnerable behind the wheel.

Rebuilding and rehabilitating the transportation infrastructure will require significant investment, but must remain a top priority, according to AAA. However, the dilemma over how to pay for improvements has remained unsolved for decades. State officials have testified about the real needs on the ground and the shortfall of funds.

One stopgap move mentioned in Doney’s statement is a nominal increase in the federal gas tax. This would provide an immediate stimulus to the Highway Trust Fund and help rebuild transportation in America, while giving the government more time to address long-term funding solutions to meet future transportation needs, according to AAA.

AAA will continue to support increased investment that will improve and modernize the nation’s infrastructure.

]]>AAA's top executive is calling on President Trump and Congress to put the nation’s disintegrating transportation infrastructure ahead of partisan politics, and spell out funding sources to upgrade the nation's highways.Doneyhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/aaa-urges-trump-to-invest-in-infrastructure-funding.aspxDetroit's New DD8 Diesel Engine Completes Medium-Duty Power Offeringshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/RCsomO5yLvE/detroit-s-new-dd8-diesel-engine-completes-medium-duty-power-offerings.aspxTue, 06 Feb 2018 12:15:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/detroit-s-new-dd8-diesel-engine-completes-medium-duty-power-offerings.aspx

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The long-awaited Detroit DD8 diesel engine this week entered into serial production in Redford, Michigan, and also was unveiled to Daimler Trucks North America customers and journalists at a race track outside of West Palm Beach, Florida.

The new engine is designed to be a low-maintenance, higher torque and higher horsepower option for fleets such as construction, dump, mixer, plow, fire and rescue and other tough duty applications. The engine joins Detroit’s previously released DD5 diesel engine, which is designed for urban applications such as last mile and P&D. According to Kelly Gerdert, director of product marketing, Freightliner and Detroit Components, the engine marks the end of a $375 million investment made by Daimler to round out its medium-duty diesel portfolio in North America.

The engine isn’t technically new, however. Gerdert noted Daimler leveraged all of its global engineering design assets in developing the engine, including input from the company’s European and Asian business units. The DD8 first debuted in Europe in 2015, which means it has five years’ of real-world driving miles behind it, Gerdert added. Other than a few tweaks to meet certain North American regulatory standards or customer preferences, the engine is largely the same as the ones running in Europe today.

Beginning this week, the Detroit DD8 can be spec’d for Freightliner M2 106, 108SD and 114SD truck models.

The DD8 is an inline, 6-cylinder 7.7L diesel offered in two basic configurations: a single-stage turbocharged version designed for maximum fuel economy, and a dual-stage turbo version that delivers higher horsepower and torque. Power ratings from the engine range from 260 to 375 hp, with engine torque ranging from 660 to 1,050 lb-ft of torque. And, according to Brian Daniels, manager, Detroit Powertrain and Component Product Marketing, it has a B10 life of 400,000 miles, which means engineers predict that 90% of the engines sold will make it to that mileage point before failure. He noted that the DD8’s 3 year/250,000 mile warranty reflects the engine’s robust design and longevity in tough trucking applications.

“The DD8 is built for performance with features that meet the needs of those specialized segments,” Daniels said. “Additionally, a big differentiator for the Detroit brand is the Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostics system, which is available as standard on both the DD5 and DD8 engines. Virtual Technician helps fleets make informed service decisions within minutes of an engine or aftertreatment fault event, increasing uptime.”

Around Town with Detroit’s New DD8

I was given the opportunity to drive several medium-duty Freightliner trucks equipped with the new DD8 engine, both on a closed course and in heavy city traffic, to see for myself how the new design handles itself on the road.

Popping the hood on a Freightliner M2, a quick once-over confirmed several points from our technical briefing earlier in the day. As with its little brother DD5 engine, the DD8 is extremely easy to access for both daily checks and more in-depth maintenance work. The fuel and oil filters feature a cartridge design for fast, clean change-outs. And all routine service points have been grouped together logically and placed as low as possible on the engine to facilitate fast and easy maintenance.

Walking toward the back of the truck, I was able to check out the new aftertreatment system. Freightliner has actually designed two different aftertreatment systems, a horizontal/inline configuration that hugs the rear frame rail, and a horizontal/understep design that can be placed underneath the steps leading to the cab. The goal here, Daniels explained, was to give more options to body upfit companies and make installations easier.

Turning the key, the DD8 dutifully shuddered to life and came up to idle quickly and smoothly. One of the DD8 features designed with the vocational market in mind is variable exhaust cam phasing, used at low engine speeds to increase exhaust temperatures and increase uptime by reducing the need for manual regenerations. Daniels warned me that this feature gives off a bit of a low-end, throaty grumble at idle. But I found the rumble barely noticeable and in fact forgot about it until my passenger pointed it out while we were waiting for a traffic light to change.

What is noticeable, however, is the low volume of engine noise that does find its way up from the engine compartment into the cab. The DD8 is a remarkably quiet design at both ideal and cruise speeds.

I drove both the single- and dual-stage turbocharged versions of the engines. Both were impressive in terms of low-end power and torque. But the higher-horsepower, dual-stage turbo version is very impressive with how fast it digs in and accelerates from a dead stop. Even loaded its 30,000 pounds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a truck fitted with one hit 50 mph on a quarter mile run. Throttle responses are crisp, with no noticeable lag time between inputs and engine response. And the engine’s exhaust brake is equally impressive, delivering steady, forceful braking power once you take your foot off the throttle. In fact, I liked the exhaust brake quite a bit, as it started out with smooth, measured braking force that gradually increased as the truck’s forward motion slowed, without any harsh jerking or jarring that you sometimes get with aggressive engine brakes.

Daimler says customer interest in the new engine is high, and it’s easy to understand why. The new DD8 will be a welcome addition to Freightliner medium-duty fleets that need a bit more power to get their work done quickly and efficiently.

]]>The newest Detroit diesel engine from Daimler Trucks North America gives medium-duty fleets a higher-horsepower option for tough vocational applications.The dual-stage turbocharger-equipped version of Detroit&amp;rsquo;s new DD8 Diesel engine is ideal for trucks like this Freightliner SD plow/dump, which need more owner for tough vocational work. Photo: Jack Robertshttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/detroit-s-new-dd8-diesel-engine-completes-medium-duty-power-offerings.aspxThird-Gen Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/cQXY08ZQmV0/photos-mercedes-benz-unveils-the-3rd-gen-sprinter.aspxTue, 06 Feb 2018 08:53:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/02/photos-mercedes-benz-unveils-the-3rd-gen-sprinter.aspxMercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter in Duisburg, Germany, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics package that will arrive in the U.S. later this year. Read more here. Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.

]]>Mercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter in Duisburg, Germany, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics package that will arrive in the U.S. later this year. Read more here.&nbsp;Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.The third-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be offered in more than 1,700 configurations worldwide.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/photogallery/detail/2018/02/photos-mercedes-benz-unveils-the-3rd-gen-sprinter.aspxMercedes-Benz Unveils Next-Gen Sprinter Vanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/r_NcDymYtzQ/mercedes-benz-unveils-next-gen-sprinter-van.aspxTue, 06 Feb 2018 07:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/mercedes-benz-unveils-next-gen-sprinter-van.aspx

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter today in Duisburg, Germany, at the junction of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics service that will arrive in the U.S. later this year.

The new Sprinter will bring an array of updates, including a gasoline engine, more than 1,700 configurations worldwide, telematics offering Mercedes Pro, and available driver assistance systems such as a self-cleaning rear-view camera in the rear-view mirror. 360-degree-view parking camera system, and sensor with Wet Wiper system that improves visibility in the rain.

Mercedes-Benz will begin selling the new Sprinter in Europe this June, with a starting price of 20,000 euros ($24,754).

Mercedes-Benz showed the van to a group of journalists at its new logistics center on Mercator Island, which was named after a 16th century cartographer who lived in the city.

"The inland port of Duisburg stands for globalism and modern logistics at the highest level," said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "It is therefore the perfect environment in which to present the new Sprinter."

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz will begin selling the vehicle at its commercial vehicle centers and Van ProCenters by the end of 2018. Mercedes-Benz is still determining whether to offer Worker model versions of the new Sprinter.

Mercedes-Benz will provide additional details about powertrains, pricing, trim levels, packages, and specifications closer to launch. Most models will be built in Charleston, South Carolina at a new plant, except for the cab and chassis model, which will come from the Ludwigsfelde factory near Berlin.

The non-U.S. model of the next-gen Sprinter will offer several additional features, including front-wheel drive and an electrified version called eSprinter. Mercedes Pro won't be available on the Canadian Sprinter at launch.

The Sprinter first appeared in the U.S. in 2001 as a Freghtliner. In 2003, DaimlerChrysler offered a Dodge Sprinter that carried a lower price. Daimer AG phased out the Dodge nameplate in late 2009 and offered the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as a replacement.

There are now 289 Sprinter dealers in the U.S. Of those, 247 are Mercedes-Benz Vans dealers and 42 are Freightliner dealers. Mercedes-Benz has 381 passenger car dealers.

]]>Mercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter today in Duisburg, Germany, at the junction of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics service that will arrive in the U.S. later this year.Photo of the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter by Paul Clinton.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/news/story/2018/02/mercedes-benz-unveils-next-gen-sprinter-van.aspxUber: Self-Driving Trucks Could Help Alleviate Driver Shortagehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/jRgUbrG9zsU/uber-self-driving-trucks-could-help-alleviate-driver-shortage.aspxMon, 05 Feb 2018 13:30:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/uber-self-driving-trucks-could-help-alleviate-driver-shortage.aspx

Mixed fleets with self-driving long-haul trucks and traditional human-driven regional routes could help the trucking industry address the problem of an aging driver workforce, said Uber in a recent company blog post.

In the post, Uber argued that rather than a future of autonomous trucks replacing the humans in the trucking workforce with robots, the technology could be used to both alleviate the driver shortage and help make the existing driving jobs more appealing to younger prospective drivers.

Quoting statistics from American Trucking Associations, Uber stated that the truck driving workforce is currently much older than the average, 49 vs. 42, and as many as 400,000 current drivers are expected to retire in the next decade. Over the same period of time, freight demand is expected to increase and would require an influx of around 900,000 drivers to keep up with demand.

Uber is currently making its foray into the trucking industry through its Uber Freight load matching app, and the company also says it is at the forefront of self-driving vehicle technology. The company states in the blog post that using a system of transfer hubs, the transportation industry could meld mixed fleets of self-driving trucks with more localized traditional trucks in order to meet the growing demand.

Strategically placed around the country, these transfer hubs could receive goods transported by self-driving trucks that are specifically designed for highway driving. The freight would be delivered to and from hubs where regional trucks would distribute the freight to its final destination.

This method would also help accelerate the usefulness of current self-driving technology which is already being tested on open highways but still faces technical hurdles when it comes to urban environments, complex loading docks or even navigating through transportation facilities.

The company began a research project into the potential impact of self-driving trucks on the trucking industry. Working with an estimate of 1 million self-driving trucks on the road by the year 2028, Uber found that the number of truck driving jobs would still increase overall in the same period. While the autonomous vehicles would reduce the amount of long-haul trucking jobs, it would create far more short-haul driving opportunities.

Uber also believes that the shift toward short-haul jobs could gradually move the trucking industry away from per-mile pay to a more traditional hourly model.

“We don’t know exactly how fast self-driving trucks will become part of the industry, or how much impact they will have in the coming years, but we believe that they will help the industry, and the people who keep it running,” Uber stated in the blog post.

]]>Mixed fleets with self-driving long-haul trucks and traditional human-driven regional routes could help the trucking industry address the problem of an aging driver workforce, said Uber in a recent company blog post.Uber stated in a blog post that it expects self-driving trucks to help the industry deal with higher demand. Photo via Uberhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/uber-self-driving-trucks-could-help-alleviate-driver-shortage.aspxQ. What Should I Consider When Looking for the Right Fleet Management Company?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/qHe-a4DPCaI/q-what-should-i-consider-when-looking-for-the-right-fleet-management-company.aspxMerchants ExpertsMon, 05 Feb 2018 11:19:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/q-what-should-i-consider-when-looking-for-the-right-fleet-management-company.aspxA. Most fleets are a costly, support-intensive piece of an organization’s business operations. When looking at potential fleet management companies it’s essential to determine if they can be a true extension to your team. After you’ve narrowed down your list, but before you’ve made a selection, it’s important to ask the hard questions. This is your chance to separate the vendors from someone who could be a partner.

While driving through a thunderstorm, the spectacle of nearby lightning strikes might tempt some drivers to exit their vehicle and try their hand at documentary-style videography using their cell phone. But keep this in mind: In 2016, 39 people in the U.S. lost their lives because of lightning strikes, according to the National Weather Service, and plenty more suffered injuries.

Fortunately, lightning fatalities fell sharply in 2017, totaling 16. But the fact remains that lightning poses serious injury risks and should never be taken lightly. Drivers who find themselves in the midst of lightning strikes should pull over to a safe place, turn on their hazard lights, close all the windows, and avoid touching metal. That means resisting the urge to hold a cellphone or touch the radio.

Safety experts recommend that vehicle occupants fold their hands in their lap while waiting for the storm to pass. Most vehicles are relatively safe during these weather events. During a lightning strike, most of the electrical current will probably flow from the vehicle’s metal cage into the ground below. The vehicle acts as a Faraday cage of sorts.

Serious damage, however, might occur if portions of the current flow through the vehicle’s electrical systems and metal parts such as the radio, cell phone charger, navigation system, door handles, food pedals, steering column and steering wheel, according to the Weather Channel.

To view a Ford video offering advice on what to do when lightning interrupts a road trip, you can click on the photo or link below the headline.

]]>Drivers who find themselves in the midst of lightning strikes should pull over to a safe place, turn on their hazard lights, close all the windows, and avoid touching metal.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/video-safety-tip-driving-amid-lightning-strikes.aspxQ. Why is it Important to Have the Option of a Customized Lease?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/lw1H70K1aD0/why-is-it-important-to-have-the-option-of-a-customized-lease.aspxMerchants ExpertsMon, 05 Feb 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/why-is-it-important-to-have-the-option-of-a-customized-lease.aspxA. One size does not fit all when it comes to lease structures. Everything from accounting practices to capital availability, and even cash flow affects what will work best for you. A flexible structure that helps your company mitigate asset risk early in the lease is essential. Lifecycle management, how long you plan to run vehicles, is also something to consider when evaluating your choices. Additionally, you should have options including closed-end and open-ended leasing. Not all FMCs are flexible when it comes to leasing plans, so it is important to know up-front what plans are available when evaluating a partner.

]]>A. One size does not fit all when it comes to lease structures. Everything from accounting practices to capital availability, and even cash flow affects what will work best for you...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/why-is-it-important-to-have-the-option-of-a-customized-lease.aspxQ. What Questions Should I Ask Regarding a Fleet Management Company’s Technology?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/EmOaJ-0tiwU/q-what-questions-should-i-ask-regarding-a-fleet-management-company-s-technology.aspxMerchants ExpertsMon, 05 Feb 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/q-what-questions-should-i-ask-regarding-a-fleet-management-company-s-technology.aspxA. Fleets produce a tremendous amount of data, but it is only useful if that information is presented in a way that is actionable. Ask when the first rollouts occurred, how many customers are using the technology, and what processes the fleet management company has in place to solicit client feedback and make improvements based on that feedback. You want proven technology, that provides real time data, is easy to use, and is customizable; all with a solid support team behind it.

]]>A. Fleets produce a tremendous amount of data, but it is only useful if that information is presented in a way that is actionable...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/q-what-questions-should-i-ask-regarding-a-fleet-management-company-s-technology.aspxQ. How Can I Find the Right Fleet Management Company?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/BdzBFuETIsE/q-how-can-i-find-the-right-fleet-management-company.aspxMerchants ExpertsMon, 05 Feb 2018 00:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/q-how-can-i-find-the-right-fleet-management-company.aspxA. Finding the right Fleet Management Company starts by asking the hard questions during the selection process. For starters, find out who your contact will be. Your options should never be limited to an 800 number, and if they are take this company off your list immediately. You should have direct contact with the team members responsible for the services, and technology that will become integral to your fleet functionality. Additional, make sure to find out if the terms of your contract will be tailored to fit you, and what kind of technology they are offering. Your business is unique, and you should find a partner who understands that.

]]>A. Finding the right Fleet Management Company starts by asking the hard questions during the selection process...http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/fleet-management-and-leasing/story/2018/02/q-how-can-i-find-the-right-fleet-management-company.aspx2017 Fleet Car of the Year: Ford Fusionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/ZvjBZlHCE8o/2017-fleet-car-of-the-year-ford-fusion.aspxAndy LundinFri, 02 Feb 2018 14:47:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/article/story/2018/02/2017-fleet-car-of-the-year-ford-fusion.aspx

The Ford Fusion has been selected as the 2017 Fleet Car of the Year. This is the sixth time the Fusion has earned the Fleet Car of the Year Award, more than any other vehicle since the award was founded over 10 years ago. The model was selected as No. 1 out of a ballot of 22 cars for the annual Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet award.

While the Fusion has been in its second generation since 2013, the model received a significant refresh for the 2017 model-year, which has carried over into the 2018 model. The face-lifted version for 2017 boasted many new technological features, such as adaptive cruise control, as well as the introduction of two new trim levels.

“The Fusion has all the driver-assist technologies fleet customers are looking for, along with a wide variety of powertrain choices and a beautiful design,” said Michele Bartlett, general manager, commercial and government fleet for Ford. “All of these features, and more, make this the perfect vehicle for our fleet customers.”

Under the Hood

This mid-size sedan has six available engines and 11 different trim levels, which includes hybrid options.

Several Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder engines spotlight the Fusion’s engine lineup, which includes the 1.5L turbocharged engine, offering 181 hp and 185 lb.-ft. of torque; and a 2.0L turbocharged engine, which delivers 245 hp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. New for the Sport trim in the 2017-MY is a 2.7 Ecoboost turbocharged V6, which boasts 325 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque.

Other available engines for the Fusion include a 2.5L four-cylinder engine; which produces 173 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque.

All are coupled to an automatic six-speed transmission. Intelligent all-wheel drive is optional on SE, Titanium and Platinum trims and standard on the Sport model.

Also, for its Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid trims is a 2.0L I-4 engine and electric motor, with a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery for the Fusion Hybrid, and 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for the Energi. The Energi boasts an EPA-estimated 104/91 city/hwy MPGe rating and the Hybrid with 43/31.

It is available in seven trims: S, SE, Titanium, Hybrid, Sport, Platinum, and Energi. The S, SE, and Titanium trims for the Fusion offer an EPA-estimated 21/32 city/hwy mpg, while the updated Fusion Sport offers an EPA-estimated 17/26 city/hwy rating.

Tech and Safety

Beginning for 2017-MY, the Ford Fusion boasted the addition of 20 driver-assist features, spotlighted by adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology.

Other notable safety features include AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control (ESC), and the Personal Safety System, designed to adjust the deployment of the front airbags to enhance protection for front-seat occupants, and other features such as lane-keep assist and pre-collision assist.

The 2017-MY Ford Fusion also featured the introduction of Ford’s latest SYNC 3 infotainment system. The SYNC 3 system features enhanced voice recognition, capacitive touch screen, and more intuitive graphical interface.

Other available tech includes a focus beyond the car: FordPass is an app drivers can use to keep them connected to the Fusion at all times. It includes the ability to compare fuel prices on a route, find and reserve parking, and lock and unlock their vehicle remotely.

The Ford Fusion’s focus on safety is further evidenced by the fact that the 2017 Fusion was selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2018 Top Safety Pick+ Award.

The SE gas and Hybrid models also offer optional packages, including the SE Technology Package, the SE Cold Weather Package, and the SE Luxury Package.

]]>With six awards, the Fusion has won more times than any other vehicle. The latest refresh boasts the addition of adaptive cruise control and two new trim levels.Photo: Fordhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/article/story/2018/02/2017-fleet-car-of-the-year-ford-fusion.aspx2017 Fleet Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Silverado 1500http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/hcQHDmgB0ww/2017-fleet-truck-of-the-year-chevrolet-silverado-1500.aspxAndy LundinFri, 02 Feb 2018 14:03:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/article/story/2018/02/2017-fleet-truck-of-the-year-chevrolet-silverado-1500.aspx

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has been named the 2017 Fleet Truck of the Year. This is the second time the light-duty truck has been honored with the annual Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet award.

“Being recognized twice as Fleet Truck of the Year is a great accomplishment — it means we’re really delivering a Silverado that speaks to our customers’ needs,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet. “The Silverados are designed to keep maintenance and fuel costs low, especially in real world driving when the trucks are loaded and being worked hard. Silverados are also known for their reliable powertrains, backed by our 5/100 warranty, and our durable steel bodies.”

Placing at No. 1 out of a ballot of 39 trucks this year, since last being selected as the Fleet Truck of the Year in 2013 the Silverado 1500 has undergone many changes. And it’s these changes that have resonated with fleets, ultimately earning its spot as truck of the year once again.

Indeed, the Silverado 1500 was recently given a mid-cycle refresh, which included an expanded use of eight-speed transmissions and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the Hood

Fleets have several choices in configurations that best suit their needs, which include regular, double or crew cab configurations, with a choice of 2WD or 4WD.

Under the hood of the Silverado 1500 are three available EcoTec3 engines.

These are a 4.3L V-6 SAE-certified with 285 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque, a 5.3L V-8 certified with 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 6.2L V-8 that offers 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Since the 2016 MY, the 5.3L V-8 has featured optional eAssist, which is a mild-hybrid system that delivers up to a 13% improvement in fuel efficiency.

The 4.3L and 5.3L engines come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission while an 8-speed transmission is standard with the 6.2L and available with the 5.3L.

Payload and Towing

Since it last won the Fleet Truck of the Year, the Silverado has continued to improve elements that are important to fleets, including improved towing capabilities.

When equipped with the 6.2L V-8, it has a max towing capacity of 12,500 lbs., a 1,000 lb. improvement over its max offering in 2013. Also, in terms of towing, StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control technology helps prevent swaying trailers, and Hill Start Assist gives drivers extra time to switch from braking to acceleration without rolling back under certain conditions.

Its payload capabilities also make it an ideal fleet asset, with up to 2,250 lbs. of maximum payload. In addition, the truck features 5-foot-8-inch, 6-foot-6-inch, and 8-foot beds, and an available EZ Lift and Lower Tailgate, which is an internal torsion bar that reduces the effort to raise and lower the tailgate.

Fleet Specific Tech

A Fleet Convenience Package that is available for the WT trim includes outside, heated power mirrors, a remote locking tailgate, keyless entry, and power windows.

Meanwhile, an LT Fleet Convenience Package includes a 10-way driver’s seat with bench seat, LED front fog lamps, rear-window defogger and 110-volt power outlet. Crew cab and double cab also include dual-zone climate control in the package. Also for the LT trim, the LT Fleet Plus Package includes universal home remote, power adjustable pedals, rear sliding window and rear window defogger.

In addition to offering Fleet OnStar telematics, General Motors also has three full fleet telematics solutions for fleets: Telogis Fleet for GM, Spireon’s FleetLocate, and GM’s proprietary Commercial Link tool. All offer web-based fleet management solutions to monitor vehicle and driver performance and use GM’s OnStar in-vehicle hardware.

]]>Since it last won the award in 2013, the Silverado has continued to improve elements that are important to fleets.Photo: Chevrolethttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/vehicle-research/article/story/2018/02/2017-fleet-truck-of-the-year-chevrolet-silverado-1500.aspxHow Leasing Helped a Salad Dressing Maker Go Nationalhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/nKYi16LW_SY/how-leasing-helped-a-salad-dressing-maker-go-national.aspxChris BrownFri, 02 Feb 2018 13:57:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/article/story/2018/02/how-leasing-helped-a-salad-dressing-maker-go-national.aspx

When Ken and Florence Hannah opened Ken’s Steak House in Framingham, Mass., in 1941, they couldn’t have imagined that it would be their salad dressing that would become a staple on dinner tables throughout the Northeast.

It wasn’t until the ’90s, however, that Ken’s Foods, the makers of Ken’s Salad Dressings, decided to go national when it built a plant in Georgia and then another in Nevada. What was a regional brand with six salespeople operating out of Massachusetts grew into sales offices across the country. And that’s when Jim Sutherby, chief financial officer, realized he needed to rethink his fleet strategy.

“It just became too difficult to run our own fleet, and that’s when I brought Motorlease into the picture,” Sutherby says.

Today, Ken’s Foods operates 44 fleet vehicles in some 20 states along the east and west coasts, Texas, and in the Midwest. Farmington, Conn.-based Motorlease Corp. has performed fleet leasing and management duties for Ken’s Foods since 1999.

Transactional Ease

Motorlease handles the licensing and registration for Ken’s fleet vehicles in every state. The vehicles are acquired through closed-end leases that come with a full maintenance program. They’re swapped out at a driver-requested location every four years or 60,000 miles.

“It couldn’t be more turnkey,” Sutherby says.

For Sutherby, the value of the closed-end lease is the predetermined lease payment and ease of transaction. “I’m sure Motorlease is worried about residual values, but I’m not,” he says. “We just turn the car in.”

Sutherby avoids charges for excessive mileage or wear and tear through good communication between Motorlease, his drivers, and himself. “Motorlease tracks the mileage, so they’re ahead of it before I am in terms of alerting the driver to order a new car,” he says.

And the drivers understand their duty of care. “I’ve told Motorlease that if someone isn’t getting their service done within a couple of weeks to let me know,” Sutherby says. “I’ll make sure that they get the proper service, but that rarely happens.”

Each time a vehicle is ordered, Motorlease runs an MVR (motor vehicle record) check on the driver. “We’ve turned up a DUI and another with four speeding tickets — those didn’t end well,” he says.

For lesser violations, remediation is part of the toolkit. Sutherby has worked with Motorlease to put a sales rep through a rigorous safe driving program. “The driver actually came back appreciative that he became a much safer driver,” he says.

Model Choice

Sutherby meets each fall with Motorlease to determine the models that will fit within the company’s fleet budget. The selector list includes a variety of sedans and crossovers from Toyota, Ford, and Nissan to Subaru, Hyundai, and GM.

Sutherby works with Motorlease to offer a “driver participation program,” in which sales reps can pay more out of pocket for an upgraded trim level. Sutherby says Toyota Highlander is the most popular model right now.

Ken’s hires many reps from larger consumer products companies, and they’re well familiar with company-provided vehicle schemes. “They say they’ve never seen this type of selection,” Sutherby says. “Their choices were limited to one or two sedans.”

Going beyond budget, Sutherby says Motorlease puts vehicles on the selector that suit the drivers in varying climates but also fit the client culture. “Motorlease understands that we don’t want our salespeople to pull up to certain food distributors in a Mercedes,” he says. “It doesn’t represent well.”

Wide vehicle selection and a smooth process go a long way in terms of productivity, especially in the competitive business of food service and retail grocery. Ken’s Foods sells to large accounts such as Safeway and Olive Garden on down to 10-store sub shops, and building relationships through face-to-face interaction is essential.

“Our sales reps are constantly out negotiating promotions and better shelf space with grocery stores,” Sutherby says, “and even bringing our culinary team to restaurants for menu ideation to help grow those businesses.”

After an almost 19-year relationship, Sutherby says the ordering process is so smooth that the yearly meeting with Motorlease takes fewer than 45 minutes. “They come out from Connecticut, but I feel bad, because we could do this over the phone,” he says. “But they insist on coming out.”

]]>For Ken’s Foods, makers of Ken’s Salad Dressings, the long-standing relationship with its fleet lessor allowed the fleet to grow seamlessly as the company evolved into a national brand.From the Ken&amp;rsquo;s Foods headquarters in Marlborough, Mass., Jim Sutherby, the company&amp;rsquo;s chief financial officer, oversees 44 fleet vehicles in some 20 states along the east and west coasts, Texas, and in the Midwest. Photo: Ken&#39;s Foodshttp://www.businessfleet.com/article/story/2018/02/how-leasing-helped-a-salad-dressing-maker-go-national.aspx5-Year Exemption Would 'Gut’ ELD Rule, Truck Safety Groups Sayhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/m1QX6LU8zB0/truck-safety-groups-5-year-exemption-would-gut-eld-rule.aspxThu, 01 Feb 2018 15:50:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/02/truck-safety-groups-5-year-exemption-would-gut-eld-rule.aspx

Is there such a thing as granting too big an exemption to the electronic logging rule? That’s the gist of joint comments submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by a safety advocacy group composed of motor carriers and a highway-safety lobby.

OOIDA’s request “would gut the long-settled electronic logging device rule by allowing nearly all trucking companies to delay compliance,” said the Alliance for Driver Safety and Security (aka the Trucking Alliance) and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (“Advocates”) in a Feb. 1 press release.

Their statement goes on to characterize OOIDA’s request as “a transparent attempt to bypass Congress and the courts by regurgitating discredited arguments which seek to advance special interests at the expense of road safety for all motorists.”

While the five-year exemption request was filed over two months ago, it is but one of several exemptions either issued by FMCSA or requested of the agency since the ELD mandate kicked in on Dec. 18. For example, just two days before word of these joint comments was released, the agency said it is considering a request by one motor carrier for a one-year exemption from electronic logging rules as having been made “on behalf of all motor carriers in similar situations…”

According to the OOIDA request, filed with FMCSA on Nov. 21, the self-certification of ELD vendors is discussed as a key issue for OOIDA: “FMCSA has stated that they do not know if the self-certified ELDs listed on their website fulfill regulatory requirements in the mandate. At present, none of the 193 devices listed have been validated by the agency or any unbiased, third-party testing program.”

It is OOIDA’s contention that a five-year exemption would provide “necessary time for ELD manufacturers to be fully vetted by the agency, which would alleviate small-business motor carriers from learning that they purchased a device that could damage their vehicle’s electronic control module or be hacked.”

Is the Rule a Matter of Settled Law?

Nonetheless, the Trucking Alliance and the Advocates essentially argue that the ELD rule is settled law: “In addition to being mandated by Congress as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) the rule was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2016. It also has the support of law enforcement, public health and safety groups, truck drivers, and trucking companies.”

The two groups also hold that ELDs are “a proven technological fix to the rampant problem of falsified paper log books, also known as ‘comic books’ in the trucking industry because of how easily they can be manipulated and falsified… [and] are a known remedy for the well-documented public safety hazard of driver fatigue.”

Advocates and the Trucking Alliance went on to state they have been “strong, early supporters” of the ELD rule and that “OOIDA’s exemption application, as well as the seven others submitted to the FMCSA, are largely based on debunked claims that have been previously rejected during the legislative and rulemaking processes.”

One Rule for Every Truck?

“When it comes down to whether this or that segment of the trucking industry should abide by rules that can reduce large truck crashes, the government should have one standard and that is ‘a truck is a truck is a truck,’” said Lane Kidd, managing director of the Trucking Alliance.

“We shouldn’t allow outliers to skirt public safety regulations,” he continued. “Trucking companies have a moral and ethical responsibility to keep the public’s trust, that they are operating as safely as possible, and ELDs are a huge step in achieving that objective.”

“Especially with truck crash deaths rising, this minimal, proven, effective technology should be in use in every truck immediately,” said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. “OOIDA’s exemption request is just a smokescreen that attempts to re-litigate a closed case and undermine the effectiveness of the ELD rule.”

]]>Is there such a thing as too big an exemption to the electronic logging rule? That’s the gist of joint comments submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by a safety advocacy group composed of motor carriers and a highway-safety lobby.The Trucking Alliance, which consists of motor carrier members, contends that granting a 5-year exemption to smaller carriers would &#39;gut&#39; the ELD rule. Photo: Knight Transportationhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/news/story/2018/02/truck-safety-groups-5-year-exemption-would-gut-eld-rule.aspxCell Phone Use 6 Seconds Prior to Crashes Studiedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/BtF4TV1GV3U/study-examines-cell-phone-use-6-seconds-prior-to-crashes.aspxThu, 01 Feb 2018 15:23:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/study-examines-cell-phone-use-6-seconds-prior-to-crashes.aspx

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety examines the relationship between using a cell phone while driving and the risk of being involved in a crash by comparing cell phone use immediately prior to crashes versus during ordinary driving.

A key finding — that visual-manual tasks, particularly texting, are associated with significantly increased crash risk — reflects that of several previous studies.

The study, “Crash Risk of Cell Phone Use While Driving: A Case-Crossover Analysis of Naturalistic Driving Data,” identifies association of crashes with a variety of driver cell phone behavior. Odds ratios were calculated for overall cell phone use, conversation, overall visual-manual cell phone use, and several specific visual manual tasks including texting, dialing, browsing, an reaching for or answering the phone.

The study found that visual-manual interaction with cell phones while driving — particularly text messaging — nearly doubled the incidence of crash involvement relative to driving without performing any observable secondary tasks. Moreover, driver texting was prevalent — 42 of 65 crashes that involved any form of visual-manual interaction with cell phones involved texting.

Associations between visual-manual cell phone interaction and crash risk tended to be stronger in free-flow traffic and in types of crashes in which the subject driver played a clear role, such as rear-end and road-departure crashes. Estimated risks were lower than in most past studies that examined risk of involvement in real-world crashes, likely due to the greater control for individual and situational risk factors in the current study.

The study draws on data from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Driving Study.

It includes data from a sample of 3,593 drivers whose driving behavior was monitored over a period of 38 months (October 2010 to December 2013) using in-vehicle video and other data collection equipment. The driver sample is comprised of an equal mix of male and female drivers from various age groups and socioeconomic strata. Data were collected across six study sites in the U.S. to ensure geographical diversity.

Driver cell phone use and crash incidence was quantified using a case-crossover study design in which a driver’s cell phone use in the six seconds immediately prior to the crash was compared with the same driver’s cell phone use in up to four six-second segments of ordinary driving under similar conditions (time of day, weather, locality, lighting and speed) within the three months prior to the crash. The study sample included 566 severe, moderate and minor crashes matched to 1,749 segments of ordinary driving.

]]>A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety examines the relationship between using a cell phone while driving and the risk of being involved in a crash by comparing cell phone use immediately prior to crashes versus during ordinary driving.Photo via Intel Free Press/Flickr.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/02/study-examines-cell-phone-use-6-seconds-prior-to-crashes.aspx6 Markets, 4 States, 54 Vehicles: How to Manage a Dispersed Fleethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/PkGFD-MsN-0/6-markets-4-states-54-vehicles-how-to-manage-a-dispersed-fleet.aspxAmy Winter-HercherThu, 01 Feb 2018 14:21:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/article/story/2018/02/6-markets-4-states-54-vehicles-how-to-manage-a-dispersed-fleet.aspx

Owning multiple franchises across the country, Joe Loader has experience managing a dispersed fleet. “I travel to each location about once a month,” says Loader, chief operating officer at Foris Solutions.

Between the six franchise locations, the 54-vehicle fleet consists of Ford pickups — mainly F-150s, a few F-250s and F-350s — and four long-wheelbase Ford Transit vans. Upfitted with boxes and racks, each vehicle carries enough supplies to take care of four appointments per day. Each vehicle puts on around 30,000 miles per year.

Loader is considering replacing all the trucks with Transit vans, which protect parts from the weather. “Plus, the technicians can work inside the vans if the weather is bad,” he says.

Loader purchases the vehicles new from local Ford dealerships. “We do an annual ROI analysis on leasing versus buying and buying always comes out better in overall costs,” he says.

Benefits of Telematics

Using a telematics system has been a benefit for Loader in maintaining the company’s dispersed fleet. Foris Solutions uses GPS Insight’s telematics system in each of its vehicles.

Telematics has helped promote safe driving, Loader says. Using the system, the company can monitor each technician’s driving behavior while behind the wheel, including incidents of hard braking, hard acceleration, and hard turns. GPS Insight sends an email when these types of incidents occur.

“At first, our technicians didn’t like the telematics; it was perceived as a ‘Big Brother’ thing watching over them too closely,” says Loader. “Now when we post the list of incidents, it’s a badge of honor to not have your name on the list. The technicians have made it into a competition to see who can get the least amount of incidents.”

Additionally, telematics has helped Loader pinpoint a method to reduce fuel costs: cut idle time. For every hour of idle time, each truck uses about a half-gallon of fuel, according to Loader. Before the telematics system, the company didn’t realize that its technicians had accumulated so much idle time.

“Our fleet’s idle time has been cut by 150 to 200 hours per month,” says Loader. “The technicians want the truck to stay warm or cool depending on the weather so they leave the trucks running longer. But they are out of the vehicles for two hours when servicing a garage door; there is no reason to leave a truck idling for a full two hours.”

Once the telematics system identified the high idling times, each Precision location had conversations with its drivers about how high amounts of idling cause the company to lose thousands of dollars.

“We had one technician who worked 40 hours a week and his truck ran 40 hours per week; he never turned it off,” says Loader. “Last month, he had fewer than four hours of idle time.”

Foris Solutions received GPS Insight’s IMPACT Award for outstanding acheivements in fleet safety using telematics. Winners were chosen based on the impact that their safety initiatives have on their businesses, according to Ryan Driscoll, marketing director of GPS Insight.

Buying, Maintaining Vehicles

Loader usually purchases around four to eight vehicles per year. Before buying, he will compare prices with multiple Ford dealerships near Precision’s locations.

“I will buy all the trucks from the dealership that gives me the best price,” says Loader. “Then I will have those trucks shipped from that dealership to our locations.”

The telematics system has helped track the diagnostic codes in each vehicle, keeping up with regular maintenance. Twice a year, Loader will look at the maintenance costs associated with keeping the vehicle on the road.

“Before the telematics system, we didn’t take as good of care of the vehicles as we do now,” says Loader. “We are watching for when the vehicle gets toward the end of its life. We will start to evaluate any maintenance outside of brakes and oil changes.”

With regular maintenance checks, Precision can usually run each vehicle about seven to eight years, according to Loader.

]]>Though this service company’s fleet is spread across six locations nationwide, it was still able to cut idle time by up to 200 hours a month.The 54-vehicle fleet consists of Ford pickups &amp;mdash; mainly F-150s, a few F-250s and F-350s &amp;mdash; and four long-wheelbase Ford Transit vans. Photo: Foris Solutionshttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/gps-telematics/article/story/2018/02/6-markets-4-states-54-vehicles-how-to-manage-a-dispersed-fleet.aspxHow to Choose Racks and Binshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/0uohxS4va_k/how-to-choose-racks-and-bins.aspxShelley ErnstThu, 01 Feb 2018 13:42:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/article/story/2018/02/how-to-choose-racks-and-bins.aspx

If you were to step into the shoes of a mobile technician — say, a person in the utilities, cable, telecommunications, or pest control industries — a good portion of your day would also be spent making trips to your truck or van to retrieve the tools you need to perform that service. Racks and bins make doing so easy.

Racks, store long, oddly shaped items, and bins, which store smaller items like parts, tools, and other materials. Racks and bins serve three key purposes: they carry the tools and materials technicians need to do their jobs; they keep that cargo and the driver safe if contents shift en route, and they provide much-needed organization so technicians can quickly and easily grab what they need.

“If boxes and bins are organized and securely stowed in the van, parts can be found more easily and aren’t damaged during transport,” says Isabella Braun, international business development manager for racking systems company, Sortimo. “Professional van racks and bins are necessary to increase organization and worker productivity.”

What happens when trucks and vans aren’t equipped with racks and bins? Jonathan Culp, director, fleet and leasing sales for vehicle upfitting company, Dejana, says the result is wasted time and money.

“When some cargo is too tall or too big to fit on a shelf, technicians will put it on the floor and block the center aisle. Over time, this turns many service vehicles into a rolling mess,” he says. “Underneath that pile is inventory that can be lost, damaged, or become obsolete. This is wasted money.”

Beyond productivity, racks and bins also keep cargo and drivers safe in the event that the vehicle lurches forward or stops suddenly. Instead of shifting and potentially entering the cab and injuring its occupants (and not to mention causing damage to valuable inventory), contents stay safely in place.

“When a load isn’t secure it’s unsafe for the driver and can also damage the cargo,” says Dshamal Schoetz, manager of upfitter programs for Mercedes-Benz USA. “For instance, if a plumber doesn’t secure a toilet, stops suddenly, and damages it, that means another trip to the store to buy a replacement.”

How Are Racks and Bins Used?

Racks and bins refer to the various storage options available to organize and secure items inside a commercial vehicle; there are many potential uses, some more complicated than others.

“Racks and bins can include a wide range of equipment, including various widths of shelves and bins of all sizes, as well as an array of drawers, cabinets, hooks, spools, and other storage compartments,” says Julie Ellenberger, Ford brand manager for Transit, Transit Connect, and E-Series. “That means they can be configured based on the specific use of the vehicle.”

With many rack and bin options on the market, how they will be used depends on the industry and needs of the technician.

“The decisions surrounding upfitted bins and racks are based on the vocation,” says Cindy Towe, assistant manager, Business Elite promotions and incentives for GM Fleet. “For example, an electrician, a landscaper, and a baker would have different vocational needs to add another level of functionality to their fleet vehicles.”

Ramses Banda, senior product manager, medium-duty trucks for Navistar, gave the example of a farm tractor repair company, which would need a welding machine, welding torch, a drill, a sander, wrenches, sockets, and a host of other equipment to fix a tractor on-site.

“The most unique application I have ever seen is a company who utilized our shelving to transport empty coffins,” says Jay Cowie, product manager for van equipment company, Ranger Design. “Regardless of industry, racks and bins take an empty van and transform it into the technician’s mobile workshop. The right mix of shelves, drawers, and storage will enable the technician to have what he needs on hand when he arrives at the job site.”

Which Materials Should I Choose?

The material you choose depends on how you will use the racks and bins. Options typically include aluminum, steel, or composite, each offering specific benefits.

Ashley MacLeod, marketing manager for Masterack, says steel is the strongest material on the market, and offers the most cost-effective option for fleets carrying heavy equipment. Aluminum, on the other hand, is 30% lighter, which translates to increased fuel economy.

“Aluminum is best for larger fleets that would realize significant fuel savings,” MacLeod says.

Composite materials can be lighter and also have characteristics that absorb noise, rather than amplify it in the back of a truck or van, says Jarid Ison, director of fleet & commercial sales for storage equipment company, Decked LLC.

Banda of Navistar says fleets should look for racks that are as light as possible but have enough of a cross section to protect cargo and drivers.

“Aluminum is one lightweight option,” he says. “The other is structural steel, but it must be coated with a paint that can tolerate exposure, like salt brine in the winter, and abuse, like sliding or hitting of cargo.”

Culp of Dejana suggested looking for composite, durable, and lightweight materials that will stand the test of time.

“A metal shelf, once bent, is going to be bent forever,” he says. “Manufacturers that incorporate composites and extrusions provide products that have enough give to handle the torsion and flexing that happens to vehicles in motion, but also the support to prevent a heavily-loaded shelf from bending or warping under the dynamic motions that occur during driving. One manufacturer I know of demonstrates the quality of the product by having a salesperson stand on a shelf and bounce up and down. I wouldn’t try that on a metal shelf.”

In the future, Ison of Decked says fleets will see more options on the market.

“As technology continues to improve, materials are becoming more lightweight and the use of more than one material to construct is becoming more prevalent,” he says.

Which System is Right for My Fleet?

Your rack and bin solution will depend entirely on your specific needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, since every industry — and even every technician — will have its own requirements for a productive configuration.

“Every user is different. Even within the same vocations, we see differences,” says Todd Goldmeyer, marketing manager for vehicle upfitter, Adrian Steel Company. “Some companies may only service residential buildings. Some companies may only service industrial companies. Some do a combination of both. This impacts the cargo they need to take to the job site and the cargo management products they carry.”

Before shopping for a solution, the first questions to ask are, “What’s working for our technicians now?” and “What’s not working/what could be improved?”

“A fleet manager should put together a list of pain points for their current vehicles and a wish list of what they’d like to have,” he says. “This helps our staff point them in the right direction. For example, if their vehicles carry a lot of weight, they may need composite racks and bins. If durability is a priority, we’d point them to steel or ­aluminum.”

MacLeod of Masterack says getting technicians’ input should be a key part of a needs assessment.

“Speaking with the techs in the field and the people who are going to be using the trucks every day is crucial,” she says. “Take the time to ride with them and ask what they like and don’t like about the current vehicle storage options.”

Culp of Dejana advises thinking through key questions like how the vehicle will be used in the field, what the driver will be doing, what the driver will need to carry, and how often he or she will need to climb in and out of the vehicle.

“Let the job requirements drive the storage spec,” he advises. “Think outside the van. Just because you did it last year doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do this year.”

If fleets are hesitant to try a new solution, Cowie of Ranger Design recommends selecting a pilot vehicle, then asking a variety of drivers to take a critical look at what worked and what didn’t before rolling it out fleet-wide.

What Qualities Should I Look For?

The qualities to look for may depend on your use, but in general, most fleets should look for a solution that is durable, adjustable, safe, and offers a suitable warranty.

1. Durability

Culp of Dejana says durability is important because if racks and bins are damaged, they’re not likely to be replaced — and that means they lose their effectiveness.

“Even with a well-managed replacement cycle, many fleets are going to keep these vehicles for a long time,” he says. “If the shelves bend, warp, or pull away from the wall/anchor points, they are going to stay that way for the remainder of the vehicle life.”

For that reason, Jose Reyna, national fleet and commercial manager for equipment company, A.R.E., says longevity should take precedence over price.

“Don’t look at the price point; look for quality and durability — those are the features that will pay off,” he says. “Think about how the equipment will stand up to weather and how well it will carry your tools, equipment, and liquids.”

Banda of Navistar says erosion protection can maintain the life of a rack and bin solution and recommends a galvanized powder protective anti-corrosion coating to do the job. He also suggested bins and racks designed with sliders that use bearings so they can be easily opened and closed — and protect the technician, too.

“It’s no different than when you open the silverware drawer in your kitchen. You want it to open smoothly, otherwise you force it and silverware goes all over the kitchen,” he says. “In that scenario, your family is probably there to help you clean it up. But in the field, many technicians are working alone — and worse, they can get hurt if they drop their tools.”

Overall, a rack and bin solution should last the life of a truck at least once. Banda says some are sturdy enough to get two truck cycles out of one body.

2. Adjustability

The ultimate goal of a rack and bin system is to maximize the available space. To do so, Culp says adjustability is key.

“With fixed shelves, say, 15 inches apart, if the cargo is only six inches tall, you’re wasting 9 inches of usable space,” he says. Adjusting the shelves to fit the cargo allows fleets to use that remaining space.

Braun of Sortimo says another important factor is the ability to actually remove bins and transport them easily to the job site.

“The technician is more productive if boxes and bins with tools and parts can be easily removed from the van and carried to the workplace in one run,” she says.

3. Safety

Fleets should make sure racks and bins are safe and easy to use in order to protect the well-being of technicians, and should also make sure equipment can be properly locked down to protect their investment.

Reyna underscores the importance of racks and bins to minimize liability.

“Let’s say you have a company of 5,000 employees. Not every driver will follow the rules and not every driver will follow the proper procedures. So, looking for racks and bins that are easy to operate in a safe way is important,” he says. “If you’re purchasing a ladder rack, for instance, you want to make sure it can safely hold the ladder you’re carrying. You’ll also want to make sure it can be safely positioned and locked in place on top of the van. A padlock is important to have, too, to prevent theft.”

And, don’t forget about the importance of safe installation.

“If the van shelving and boxes are not secured professionally inside the vehicle, racks and bins can shift while the van is in motion or hurt the driver in an accident. The safest option is to go with a high-quality and crash-tested van solution,” Braun says.

4. Warranty

A rack and bin solution can be a major investment, so it should come with a sufficient warranty. Reyna says the warranty should cover the lifespan of the vehicle, which is usually three to five years.

“Fleets should consider how easy it is to complete field repairs and how they can get service from an authorized dealer,” he advised.

“That way if something goes wrong during the upfitting process, you’re protected, because the factory authorized the work prior to you buying the equipment,” he explained. “For example, trucks carry a two-year unlimited miles/hours warranty on the truck/chassis. But, if the body company drills a hole on the chassis and it causes a fracture that cracks the frame, the damage to the chassis won’t be covered under the warranty because you modified it after you bought it. At our factory, we pre-pierce the chassis so the right holes are there for when the body is installed.”

What Are the Costs?

Costs will vary depending on the vehicle platform and specific solution for that vehicle, says Ison of Decked. In general, as size goes up, so do costs. Culp of Dejana notes fleets in low-skill, low-labor-cost industries can buy a basic shelving system for about $2,000, whereas a utility company with more specialized needs may spend $10,000 to $12,000 on a van upfit package.

When calculating the return on investment of a solution, Braun of Sortimo says improved technician productivity pays off.

“In recent research, Sortimo found out that more than 30 minutes per day, per technician, can be saved through our organization and mobility solution,” she says. “Calculated with a $30 hourly cost for a technician, 218 working days, and 2,000 technicians in the field, that can be a savings of more than $6.5 million per year.”

Banda of Navistar says the lowest cost option is to transplant a pre-owned body on a new chassis. The most costly is to buy everything brand new; while that investment is more significant, the upside is the associated warranty.

Weight Matters

Fleets should always take the weight of a rack and bin system into consideration and ensure there is enough available payload after installation.

“If the body is too heavy, the truck will be dangerously close to the gross vehicle weight limit and you won’t be able to carry anything,” says Banda of Navistar.

Weight also has an impact on fuel economy — the heavier the solution, the lower the MPG.

“Studies show that every 10% weight reduction leads to a reduction of fuel consumption by approximately 7%,” says Braun of Sortimo. “A more fuel-efficient vehicle with a higher MPG yields a more productive driver in the field. A vehicle that drives further on a tank of gas helps the technician spend less time refueling and gives him more time to get the job done.”

Dejana’s Culp says beyond which racks and bins fleets choose, fleets should also be selective about what items technicians carry in them.

“I once asked a technician why he needed three heavy hammer drills in his van. His reply was that there was, ‘this one job back in ’07 where I would have been up the creek if I hadn’t had that third one,’” he says. “The ‘pile’ in the van obscures what’s really in the vehicle, and in this case added extra weight, which erodes fuel economy.”

Work With the Experts

While fleets may have a thorough understanding of their needs, they aren’t likely to be the experts at configuring the most effective rack and bin solution to meet them. Manufacturers and upfitters are.

“I can’t tell you how many times we have worked with end users and they simply didn’t know of better ways to organize their cargo van,” says Goldmeyer of Adrian Steel. “The upfitter has the experience and knowledge to work with the customer to provide them the best solution for their needs.”

MacLeod of Masterack says manufacturers can oversee vehicle loading and unloading scenarios and ensure that the selected storage system maximizes efficiency.

Upfitting experts can help companies make the most of their space and avoid common missteps, too.

“Experts can help ensure you do it right and avoid mistakes,” says Schoetz of Mercedes-Benz USA. “They can draw on their many years of experience to ensure you find the right package.”

Advice from Towe of GM Fleet? “Don’t go it alone. Ask for help,” she says. “A knowledgeable dealer understands gross vehicle weights, towing/hauling capacities, etc., and is able to properly spec a work truck or van. Adding too many or not enough upfit options can be a costly mistake.”

About the Author

Shelley Ernst is a regular contributor to Business Fleet’s sister publication, Work Truck Magazine. This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Work Truck Magazine.

]]>Racks and bins turn trucks and vans into mobile workshops. With an abundance of options available to fleet managers, here’s all you need to know about these organizational devices.Slide-out drawers allow plenty of organized space for tools and materials while keeping the body of the vehicle open for larger items. Photo: DECKEDhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/article/story/2018/02/how-to-choose-racks-and-bins.aspxUnderstanding Metrics: What Is Your Fleet Telling You?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/QDUjua3IcGQ/understanding-metrics-what-is-your-fleet-telling-you.aspxLeslie SmartThu, 01 Feb 2018 13:19:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/article/story/2018/02/understanding-metrics-what-is-your-fleet-telling-you.aspx

Do you need to lessen your fleet’s downtime? Have you looked back at a particular breakdown and thought you should’ve been able to prevent it? Is your total fuel spend creeping out of control?

Your vehicles and drivers are generating mountains of data daily, and if you’re not properly collecting this data, you’re doing your operations a disservice. For the small truck fleets that fly by the seat of their pants, this article is for you.

This data capture does not need to involve enterprise operational changes such as installing telematics (though a telematics system will automate the collection and analysis of this information). Rather, a simple spreadsheet reporting system should suffice.

Yes, this will take time, and most of us don’t have enough of it. You and your staff need to establish the doctrine of collecting, maintaining, and analyzing these sets of data, and then using the metrics to sharpen both your operations and personnel’s behavior.

These fleet reports are merely ways to harbor and segment sets of data. Your answers to the questions posed will tell you exactly where you need to be concentrating your efforts.

Downtime Report:

Do you have an adequate snapshot of what units are down and when you can expect each vehicle back in service? A downtime report will bring your attention to vehicles that are past their useful lifecycle and help you plan for their replacements. You may be saying, “But I only have 18 vehicles in three operating locations. Why do I need this?”

The answer to that question is found in more questions: Are you visiting each of your operating locations every few days? Can you identify that these units are out of service for other reasons, for instance, non-compliance of regulations such as the ELD (electronic logging device) mandate?

Does your maintenance provider offer this information? Does your maintenance provider advise you or your fleet supervisor when a repair will be delayed due to shop overloading or delayed parts? Will your provider call you to tell you the wait time for the problem to be diagnosed, much less repaired?

What if your maintenance provider is so overloaded that your broken-down vehicle takes from three days to a week to get into the shop?

If the unit will not be available by a certain time, can you “slip seat” (rotate drivers) for one of your operational units? Do you have the personnel to do this? Perhaps you’ll even need to be the slip seat driver in certain circumstances — not an easy circumstance from which to operate your business.

I once reviewed a downtime report and ascertained that a truck was not scheduled to come back into service after a five-day period of downtime. When I investigated with our operational personnel, I found out that this particular vehicle had not even entered the shop to be diagnosed. When I called the shop, the manager told me that the unit was 54th in line to be repaired.

What if one of your units is down for safety reasons but you are unaware that safety is the cause? Many units have been returned to service because they are needed, as requested by your fleet supervisor — but that doesn’t mean that the safety issue has been corrected.

For example, if the driver’s seat belt doesn’t work or the four-way flashers are inoperable, do you only find out about this when it’s too late?

Your operations personnel and line management should be on top of these types of issues, but in some cases, they are not. By getting involved and supervising, you will shorten the downtime and reduce or eliminate rental costs associated with this breakdown. This will have a positive effect on your bottom line.

Unit Damage Report:

This report will identify the type of damage your fleet is experiencing, the associated costs, and the drivers who are at fault because they were careless or distracted. Monitoring and correcting bad driver behavior should be a top priority.

On a recent visit to a small fleet, I was informed that one of their units was down because the driver had driven into tree limbs and damaged the front corner cap. The operations manager immediately sent this driver and a helper to a local rental company; they were back with a replacement truck in less than an hour. Problem solved for the moment, right?

Wrong. The driver drove the replacement truck into the same trees in the same spot.

Taking the time to correct bad driver behavior can be less expensive than the costs associated with the above example, not to mention having two units down due to carelessness and having to pay to repair a truck you don’t own.

Repair Work Order Report:

Do you have a summary of monthly repair orders? Once again, these repairs can have a direct negative impact on your bottom line.

When viewed over a period of time, such as one year, this report can give you a strong indication of your weakest units and those that need to be replaced. Remember, downtime costs money in many ways.

Labor Hours and Overtime Report:

It’s not just the mechanical aspect of trucks and equipment that need to be closely monitored. If you’re spending overtime regularly and you’re not in your peak season, then perhaps you need an additional unit.

If one particular driver is taking too long to complete his or her route, you need to investigate the reason — goofing off or is there simply too much work for that driver and unit? Does the driver use his or her time efficiently? Are your routes sized to your customers’ orders? Do you have to deliver your goods and services the same day or the next day? Can you take your incoming orders and batch them by route, spreading the deliveries out by time and day needed at a destination?

Rental Report:

This is vital in tracking the length and frequency of your rentals and their associated costs. Closely monitor these costs and review them with your staff. While I understand the need for rentals, have you considered buying or leasing a new unit instead? Then your oldest unit — that is still within its operational lifecycle — can be used as a spare.

Sometimes this solution is more economical than calling a local rental company each time you have something as common as a “no start” in the morning.

Efficiency Report:

This report entails scheduling, dispatching, and route management, and should capture your deliveries, miles driven, and number of stops. There is more data that should be included in this report; however, these basic metrics should help identify your best delivery vehicle/driver combination.

A deeper dive into these stats will identify which routes need to be amended. You will also be able to take an initial or “embryonic” look at which chassis specs perform best in each location and on which routes.

Fuel Consumption Report:

This one can be easily compiled and identifies those unit numbers that are consuming too much fuel. If you are doing “wet” (onsite) fueling, your provider can give you this report on a weekly basis. By paying attention here, you can easily find those fuel losses that you are experiencing. Then the question becomes: why?

I once found a driver who was filling up with a fuel card and having his wife in her personal vehicle, with a diesel engine, park close enough to have her tank fueled at the same time. This was discovered after noticing a high average consumption at this operational location.

You may think that wet fueling is foolproof for theft. Beware of fuel tanks being filled on your property that are not fleet units. This can and will happen. A fuel consumption report can identify something that is not right, even if you are using wet fueling.

Tire Replacement and Retread Report:

Tires are a significant cost and a large percentage of your overall fleet expenses. You can save money by identifying replacement tires by unit number, size, type (new or retread), tread, mileage interval since last replacement, vendor, cost per tire, and other data, and reviewing on a regular basis.

Are there chronic offenders among your drivers for tire damage? If you use a fleet tire provider, what percentage of invoicing to your fleet is for tire failures termed “curbed” — meaning caused by the driver?

By paying attention to tire metrics, you will learn a number of things, such as the best tread designs for each of your regions and operational terrains. You can also learn which of your drivers are the most careless and aggressive.

Choosing the appropriate tire for that unit can also save you money. This includes choosing tires with a cut-resistant sidewall to prevent some of the “curbing” damage.

Each one of these metrics can impact your fleet’s bottom line in significant ways. Pay attention to the data — it will tell you what you need to know for cost-saving, coaching, and discipline purposes.

About the Author

Les Smart is president of Smart Fleet Management, a small and medium fleet consulting company. He can be reached at smart5010@atlasok.com.

]]>Do you have a firm grasp on your fleet’s downtime, fuel spend, unit damage, rental bill, and tire expense? For the small truck fleets that fly by the seat of their pants, this article is for you.Photo: &amp;copy;iStockphoto.com/jxfzsyhttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/article/story/2018/02/understanding-metrics-what-is-your-fleet-telling-you.aspxKeep Realistic Fleet Expectationshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/CmbPn_gNozY/keep-realistic-fleet-expectations.aspxSherb BrownThu, 01 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/nobody-asked-me-but/story/2018/02/keep-realistic-fleet-expectations.aspxThe art of getting people and products from Point A to Point B is evolving at a tremendous pace. Staying on top of the latest trends and technology is almost a full-time job. It’s a task that a lot of fleet managers have to ignore as they deal with the daily drudgery of putting out fires. Those who put their fleet education on the back burner are setting themselves and their fleets up for potential pain and suffering. To borrow a phrase from the love child generation, you’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.

If you don’t stay on top of the latest developments in mobility, battery technology, autonomous vehicles, and telematics, you are subjecting yourself to the whims of senior management who may be making decisions based on the latest trendy news.

A few years ago, one Fortune 50 company CEO decided that his fleet was going all hybrid because he wanted to make a statement. He didn’t check to see if this was viable. He didn’t check to see if it was possible. He didn’t check to see what his fleet department thought about it. It wound up being an expensive and painful lesson for everyone. Another mega-fleet decided to go all plug-in hybrids a few years ago. Not that there is anything wrong with plug-in hybrids, but this fleet had vehicles that averaged 200 miles a day. And as you can imagine, this also did not turn out well.

My favorite story is the California university president who announced to the world that his fleet was going all biodiesel without asking anyone in the fleet department what they thought about that. Again, not making any judgements about biodiesel, but it’s not for everyone. And again, it was an expensive lesson and a bit of a disaster for all involved because the decision got made without any input from the people who have to make the fleet work.

Your boss, your mayor, and your CEO are all seeing news stories everyday about battery-electric vehicles, about autonomous vehicles, and about safety technology. The news they are seeing may or may not be fake, it may or may not be grounded in reality, and it may or may not lead to them making knee jerk reactions that will affect your fleet. Staying on top of the trends yourself and becoming an internal trusted source for your organization will at least give you a chance to stop some of these potential train wrecks before it’s too late.

Mobility, or transportation as a service, is definitely coming soon, electric vehicles are going mainstream, and to some degree, autonomous technology is already here but about to become much more mainstream. All of these developments are going to affect the fleet market, but how they are going to affect your organization is up to you. Be the leader that your organization needs in this area and you’ll have a much better chance of not becoming a victim of ill-informed senior level decision making.

]]>If you don’t stay on top of the latest developments in mobility, battery technology, autonomous vehicles, and telematics, you are subjecting yourself to the whims of senior management who may be making decisions based on the latest trendy news.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/nobody-asked-me-but/story/2018/02/keep-realistic-fleet-expectations.aspxShould Peer-to-Peer Renters Pay Airport Car Rental Fees?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/gEC9p4k8wzs/should-peer-to-peer-renters-pay-airport-car-rental-fees.aspxChris BrownWed, 31 Jan 2018 14:23:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/01/should-peer-to-peer-renters-pay-airport-car-rental-fees.aspxThe city of San Francisco is suing Turo for continuing to operate at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) without a permit, a requirement for all entities conducting commercial business at the airport.

Car rental companies are required to pick up and drop off customers at SFO’s rental car center, as well pass a fee of $18 per contract onto rental car customers for use of the AirTrain, the people mover that connects to the rental car center, and pay 10% of gross receipts above a certain threshold for SFO rental car transactions. Additionally, car rental companies occupying the rental car center must pay rent.Turo, which defines itself as a peer-to-peer carsharing company, has been picking up and dropping off customers at terminal curbside without paying those fees. The company claims it does not to fall under the same definition of car rental, and should therefore be exempt from the same requirements.

The lawsuit cites Turo’s website references to “car rentals at SFO Airport” and curbside pickup and drop off. By continuing to operate at SFO and access renters directly at the terminals, the lawsuit claims that Turo adds to airport traffic and compromises funding for facilities maintenance, while having an unfair advantage over the car rental companies that comply with the airport’s permitting requirements.

Turo disagrees. Michelle Fang, Turo’s general counsel, notes that Turo does not itself own a fleet of cars, but rather enables peer-to-peer carsharing through an internet platform in the same way that eBay brokers auctions of third-party goods.

“Since 2010, California has a law in place that defines peer-to-peer carsharing, and we fall squarely within that,” says Fang. “Rental car laws are totally distinct from carsharing laws.”

Fang references AB 1851, which when enacted amended California insurance code to ensure that owners of private vehicles in “personal vehicle sharing programs” would not have their personal auto insurance invalidated as a result. The language of the legislation specifies that to be protected under the statute, revenue received by the vehicle’s owner from a personal sharing program should not exceed the annual expenses of owning and operating that vehicle.

Fang, who had previously litigated for eBay, also references federal law that excises internet platforms such as eBay from responsibility for the conduct of its users. “Federal law is clear that it’s not Turo conducting that activity, Turo is providing a platform for other entities to conduct that activity,” she says. “We’re in a very good and strong position via state law and federal law. It’s very clear we are not a rental car company.”

Along with the San Francisco city attorney and SFO, the American Car Rental Association contends that Turo is operating as a car rental company. Greg Scott, ACRA’s lobbyist, says that for-profit Turo facilitates daily car rental transactions for compensation and should therefore abide by the federal, state, and local laws governing car rental companies.

Scott points out that the California law was designed to rectify a specific issue with personal vehicle sharing programs and personal insurance — and says nothing about taxes and fees. “This law does not give Turo the right to avoid taxes at SFO or elsewhere,” he says.

Is there a workable real-world model in which rental company-provided vehicles on Turo’s platform can be charged appropriately per trip? Fang suggests that entities using Turo’s owner-provided insurance tool could be blocked online from airport transactions, for instance.

The lines are blurred further, however, in the evolving definition of vehicle owner for the purposes of peer-to-peer programs. A growing number of independent entrepreneurs are buying multiple vehicles and putting them on Turo’s platform with the intent to generate revenue — contrary to the revenue threshold requirements in the 2010 law.

Fang says Turo has continually tried to work with the airport on the permit issue. She says Turo has asked SFO to create a permit specific to carsharing, in which Turo would pay an airport trip fee similar to those paid by ride-hailing networks such as Uber and Lyft, but that has gone nowhere. Fang believes the major car rental companies are trying to litigate this new type of competition to death.

Scott says either Turo, the vehicle owner, or the Turo renter must take responsibility for paying airport fees — and abide by other consumer and safety protections that car rental companies must follow. “If there is a level playing field, we welcome Turo come on into the market and join ACRA,” he says.

]]>The question is central to the City of San Francisco’s lawsuit against Turo for operating without a permit at San Francisco International Airport.Photo courtesy of Turo.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/01/should-peer-to-peer-renters-pay-airport-car-rental-fees.aspxForces Threaten to Change Fleet From a Career to a Stepping Stonehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/HIOeoweds6A/forces-threaten-to-change-fleet-from-a-career-to-a-stepping-stone.aspxMike AntichMon, 29 Jan 2018 09:18:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/01/forces-threaten-to-change-fleet-from-a-career-to-a-stepping-stone.aspxAlthough fleet management is a relatively new career segment, changes are percolating that threaten to transform it from a career path to a corporate stepping stone. The confluence of three fleet megatrends will be the catalyst fueling this transition:

The evolution of fleet management to a more technology-oriented profession that will expand the skillset and core competencies required to be a fleet manager.

Widespread retirement of baby boomers, the largest fleet manager demographics, succeeded by millennials, who, rightly or wrongly, are perceived as job-hoppers.

The growing participation of fleet managers in consensus decision-making with internal cross-functional groups.

Technology to Expand Fleet Manager Skillsets

Traditionally, fleet management focused on understanding the economics of fleet and asset lifecycle management. But as data analytics becomes more pervasive in the fleet work environment, it will necessitate additional skillsets and core competencies. The data rich fleet environment will appeal to tech-oriented, analytical individuals who will self-gravitate to fill open fleet positions. These new fleet managers will not only be analytical, but must also possess the ability to effectively communicate these data-driven recommendations to senior management.

Increasingly, this next generation of fleet managers will be asked to implement new technologies to enhance the driver experience as an employee retention tool and to facilitate improved compliance to fleet policy. As younger, entry-level employees are assigned their first fleet vehicles, there will be an emphasis to appeal to this group through the use of mobile apps and other driver-enabled technologies. From a career perspective, the shortage of qualified tech employees will make these new fleet managers prime targets for recruitment poaching, both internally and externally. Also, these technically adept fleet managers will want to work in a dynamic tech environment and may chaff at working in a fleet setting where the technology utilized remains stagnant.

Millennials are a Flight Risk

When you consider the average age of fleet managers today, we are starting to glimpse the emerging tidal wave of retirements. These newly vacant positions, for the most part, will be filled by millennials, if they are filled at all. According to a study by Gallup, millennials – those born between 1980 and 1996 – typically only stay in their positions, on average, for three to five years and then move on to a new challenge. The concern is that the fleet industry will see a diminishing number of professionals devoting 10 to 20-plus years developing fleet management expertise. This will present a challenge for many organizations, such as on the supplier side, which will struggle to develop relationships with a revolving door of fleet managers. Another challenge will be experienced by industry associations, such as AFLA and NAFA, where there may be a leadership skills deficit since the bulk of its membership may be comprised of relatively new fleet managers with too few years “in the saddle,” recognizing that it takes years to develop fleet management expertise. The fear is that fewer fleet managers will remain within the industry for the extended period needed to develop fleet acumen.

A Gallup report, “How Millennials Want to Work and Live,” found that 21% of millennials had switched jobs in the last year, which is three times higher than non-millennials who report doing the same. Six out of 10 millennials say they are open to different job opportunities, which is also the highest percentage among all generations in the workplace. Not all, but many millennials view their current job as a stepping stone and a growth opportunity.

Temptation to Jump Ship to Other Departments

Since fleet management requires working with cross-functional groups, managing millions of dollars of corporate assets, collaborating in complex technology initiatives, and is a key influencer of employee productivity, it is crucial to have a strong in-house fleet manager to coordinate and manage these activities. The fleet manager of tomorrow will be very much integrated with these corporate cross-functional groups.

In this work environment, fleet will appeal to younger employees because of this exposure to these cross-functional groups. The fleet manager position will give them an opportunity to interact with a variety of internal cross-functional groups, such as procurement, risk management, operations, and sales. Ambitious up-and-coming managers will be attracted to fleet because it is a high visibility position that puts them in spotlight with senior level managers with the potential to leverage these relationships into higher-level positions elsewhere in the corporation.

The Value of In-house Fleet Management

Fleet management employs strategies to operate a business at the lowest possible cost, which is crucial especially when a fleet is a revenue-generating unit. In the final analysis, the fleet manager position must not devolve into a revolving door as it will diminish this efficacy. As fleet complexity grows, it will become even more critical to have an in-house subject-matter expert managing the strategic direction of the fleet. In addition, multinational organizations operating in a global market require in-house subject-matter-expertise to provide consultation with regional and global partners on variety of fleet initiatives, ranging from technology, global safety programs, to working on global purchasing agreements.

Fleet management is a valuable corporate competency whose effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) has a direct impact on the corporate bottom line. A strong, career-focused, in-house fleet manager is not just reporting numbers, he or she is driving those numbers.

]]>Although fleet management is a relatively new career segment, changes are percolating that threaten to transform it from a career path to a corporate stepping stone. The confluence of three fleet megatrends will be the catalyst fueling this transition.http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/market-trends/story/2018/01/forces-threaten-to-change-fleet-from-a-career-to-a-stepping-stone.aspxSafety Tip: Move Over for Emergency Vehicleshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/lWaSw3HClxo/safety-tip-move-over-for-emergency-vehicles.aspxMon, 29 Jan 2018 09:00:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/01/safety-tip-move-over-for-emergency-vehicles.aspx

State move-over laws require drivers traveling on multi-lane roads and highways to slow down and — whenever safe to do so — merge away from stopped emergency vehicles to give emergency workers a safety buffer.

The Michigan State Police this month released dash-cam video showing what can happen when drivers fail to comply with such laws while emergency workers deal with the aftermath of a highway collision. The situation was further complicated by slick road conditions.

In the video, a tow truck driver narrowly escapes getting hit. He’s forced to jump toward speeding traffic to avert an out-of-control car barreling into both his tow truck and the car he’s preparing to tow.

Meanwhile, the driver and passenger involved in the original crash sit in the police patrol car and watch the scene unfold. Their screams convey their shock.

Police later charged the driver with speeding and failure to yield or move for an emergency vehicle, according to WTHR.

To watch a PSA video about the need to slow down and move over, click on the photo or link below the headline.

]]>Drivers need to remember to slow down and move over — if safe — whenever they see an emergency vehicle stopped ahead on a multi-lane roadway.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/01/safety-tip-move-over-for-emergency-vehicles.aspxFleets Part of Ford's 2018 Mobility Strategyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/IdZKlup9Zgg/fleets-part-of-ford-s-2018-mobility-strategy.aspxThu, 25 Jan 2018 09:50:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/operations/news/story/2018/01/fleets-part-of-ford-s-2018-mobility-strategy.aspx

Ford is looking to leverage burgeoning vehicle connectivity technology to deliver improved data services and fleet optimization for commercial fleets, which is part of the Ford Mobility team’s strategy to accelerate delivery of mobility products and services to customers in 2018.

Ford’s mobility team looks to deliver improved digital services to fleet, personal, and city customers by providing 100% connectivity of new vehicles in the U.S. by 2019, with a goal of 90% connectivity on a global scale by 2020, according to the automaker.

Ford also plans to accelerate its strategy via the expansion of the Transportation Mobility Cloud, its open, cloud-based platform, which manages information flow and basic transactions between a variety of components in the transportation ecosystem, said Ford. The expansion will include the involvement of other automakers, suppliers, partners and cities. Also, a developer network to build and support the system also will be launched.

Ford is also expanding its ride-sharing technologies via Chariot, the cornerstone of Ford’s microtransit solutions, and will see an acceleration of city launches globally this year. Further still, Ford Mobility will expand its non-emergency medical transportation operation from a Southeast Michigan pilot with Beaumont Health into a full business serving multiple medical systems, Ford announced in a release.

Ford acquired two organizations to support its growth in mobility solutions: Autonomic, which specializes in scale, architecture and leverage for transportation industry solutions; and TransLoc, which is a provider of demand-response technology for city-owned microtransit solutions, according to the automaker.

Ford also is announcing the reorganization of the teams developing and scaling mobility solutions.

The reorganization will establish four new groups focused on mobility products, services and businesses: Ford X, which is responsible for ensuring Ford is continuously discovering and actively incubating new business models, and will oversee the Transportation Mobility Cloud platform; Mobility Business Group, which will oversee Ford Commercial Solutions, Ford’s microtransit businesses, autonomous vehicle businesses, and other future businesses; Mobility Platforms and Products, which will lead design and development for the technology underpinning Ford’s mobility businesses; and Mobility Marketing and Growth, which will seek to drive demand with consumers and commercial customers, and ensure the voice of the customer is heard throughout the organization.

With the new reorganization, several leadership appointments are also being announced: Sunny Madra, CEO and cofounder of Autonomic, will join Ford as VP, Ford X; Marion Harris, CFO, Ford Credit, will be named VP, Mobility Business Group; Rich Strader, who is named VP, Mobility Platforms and Products; and Brett Wheatley, director, Ford Marketing, Sales and Service Fitness Transformation, named VP, Mobility Marketing and Growth.

]]>The top 10 list, released by the Highway Loss Data Institute, includes large pickups from Ford and Ram.The Ford F-250 4WD is among the top 10 vehicles with the lowest overall losses, according to an analysis by HLDI. Screen shot via YouTube.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/safety-accident-management/news/story/2018/01/hldi-reveals-vehicles-with-lowest-collision-losses.aspxHard Times Ahead for the Compact SUV Segment?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/hiO8KDtDfbM/hard-times-ahead-for-the-compact-suv-segment.aspxChris BrownWed, 24 Jan 2018 14:14:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/01/hard-times-ahead-for-the-compact-suv-segment.aspxIf it’s okay to equate “love affair” with an automotive segment, then let’s talk compact crossovers/SUVs — the hottest, best-looking, most-desired segment in the automotive world for the past half-decade.

The segment that didn’t exist 20 years ago is now the largest, in both models and volume. And just like a hit sitcom, it’s even spawned two new sub-segments, luxury compact crossovers and subcompact crossovers.

The tipping point was near the end of 2014, when crossover sales crested car sales and never looked back. Last year, the segment grew by 4.6% in sales year-over-year to a whopping 3.16 million units. That’s even more incredible understanding that overall U.S. new vehicle sales declined in 2017 for the first time in seven years. As a result, fleet buyers have migrated to this new segment for all the reasons consumers have, and for their residual value retention.

But the automotive industry has historical ebbs and flows. The first large SUV obsession of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s ultimately gave way to the small car craze brought on by the spike in fuel prices and the Recession. You couldn’t give a pickup away in 2008, but five years later it was sedan sales that were plunging.

It’s hard to see the end of a trend when you’re in the middle of one. (Just ask real estate speculators a decade ago.) With this in mind, it’s always tricky for automakers to plan future models and production runs to meet future demand just right. There are some moving parts here to keep an eye on.

So could the love affair with small crossover segment turn sour in the wholesale market of tomorrow?

The residual risk assessors at RVI Analytical Services predict an increase in off-lease supply for small SUVs will cause a 9% decline in wholesale prices for the segment by 2020. “There is a glut of supply coming back of subcompact and compact crossovers,” says Wayne Westring, manager for RVI.

“We’ve seen historic highs for overall lease penetration over the last eight quarters,” Westring continues. “Demand is still there, but used supply has been increasing. That will put downward pressure on (pricing for) those vehicles.”

Tom Kontos, Adesa’s chief economist, concurs. “So many of these vehicles (new compact crossovers/SUVs) have been sold in recent years they will be face supply pressure, maybe even starting this year,” he says.

Overall, RVI expects overall wholesale prices in 2018 to decline about 3% from current levels, and the decline will increase to almost 8% in 2019, Westring says, based on growing supply. The price decrease for the small crossover segment is predicted to be greater than the overall average.

Black Book predicts that the compact crossover/SUV segment will decline in two-year retention from a high of 57% in 2015 to 50% in 2020. That’s the second largest drop in any of the largest segments.

Westring cautions that in the face of an overall shrinking SAAR, a glut of small SUV models and production could cause manufacturers to incentivize new sales with rebates, which would further weaken wholesale pricing in the segment.

Then should fleet buyers flee the small SUV in favor of the next rock star segment?

RVI’s analysis predicts that subcompact and compact cars will decline 8% by 2020 — slightly better, but not substantially, than the value decline for small SUVs. RVI also predicts full-size pickups and midsize and large sedans will perform better than the average market decline.

Automotive prognosticators aren’t seeing a drastic shift in consumer preference. Americans love the high ride, utility, roominess, and relatively good fuel economy of the crossover classes. Fuel prices are expected to remain low.

So no, small SUVs won’t become the Beanie Babies or Cabbage Patch Kids of 2020. But fleet buyers and consignors do need to be aware that the small crossover/SUV segment won’t be buoying overall fleet holding costs as much as they have in the past.

]]>The hottest segment today is facing a glut of models and volume in tomorrow’s wholesale market.The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, among many new entrants in small SUV segment, debuted at the LA Auto Show in November. (Photo by Paul Lim.)http://www.businessfleet.com/blog/auto-focus/story/2018/01/hard-times-ahead-for-the-compact-suv-segment.aspxNew Vehicle Fuel Economy Hits Record High for MY-2016http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/VZNcODZNKe4/new-vehicle-fuel-economy-hits-record-high-for-my-2016.aspxTue, 23 Jan 2018 15:46:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/news/story/2018/01/new-vehicle-fuel-economy-hits-record-high-for-my-2016.aspx

The fuel economy of new cars and trucks in the U.S. for model-year 2016 was 24.7 miles per gallon, 0.1 mpg higher than 2015-MY and a record high.

Both cars and trucks reached record adjusted fuel economy in 2016-MY, according to a release from the Environmental Protection Agency. The average 2016-MY adjusted fuel economy for cars increased to 28.5 mpg, and 2016-MY trucks increased 0.1 mpg to 21.2 mpg. Fuel economy is projected in the 2017-MY to hit another record at 25.2 mpg, though these values will be finalized in next year’s report.

Meanwhile, vehicle weight and power were unchanged from 2015-MY to 2016-MY, both of which are important parameters for determining a vehicles fuel economy.

Car SUVs, smaller 2WD SUVs considered cars for purposes of compliance with fuel economy standards, had the largest increase in fuel economy, at 1.1 mpg. Both car SUVs and truck SUVs achieved record high fuel economy, with car SUVs reaching 26.2 mpg and truck SUVs reaching 22.2 mpg, according to a release from the EPA. Fuel economy for pickup trucks increased by 0.1 mpg.

Five manufacturers showed an increase in adjusted fuel economy from 2015-MY to 2016-MY, including GM, Mercedes, Kia, Hyundai, and Mazda, the last of which has the highest fuel economy at 29.6 mpg. Hyundai, however, had the biggest increase for the model-year, at 1.3 mpg, with a total adjusted fuel economy at 28.8 mpg.

]]>The fuel economy of new cars and trucks in the U.S. for model-year 2016 was 24.7 miles per gallon, 0.1 mpg higher than MY-2015, which is a record high.Photo via EveryCarListed/Flickr.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/news/story/2018/01/new-vehicle-fuel-economy-hits-record-high-for-my-2016.aspxMercedes-Benz Halts Diesel Powertrains for Passenger Carshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BusinessFleet/~3/EK9wm7K_l50/mercedes-benz-halts-diesel-powertrains-for-passenger-cars.aspxMon, 22 Jan 2018 16:09:00 PSThttp://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/news/story/2018/01/mercedes-benz-halts-diesel-powertrains-for-passenger-cars.aspx

Mercedes-Benz will no longer offer diesel powertrains for its passenger cars in the United States, but will continue to produce diesel variants of its Sprinter Vans, Autoblog reports.

Diesels account for only 3% of brand sales, said Ola Kallenius, head of R&D for Mercedes Car Group, according to The Detroit Bureau. He added that diesel doesn't fit into the automaker's U.S. portfolio.

The automaker delayed plans to sell diesel version of the C-Class and GLC in 2016, according to Carbuzz.com. Mercedes decided that the effort to achieve compliance was too much investment for just 3% percent of sales in the U.S.

]]>Mercedes-Benz will no longer offer diesel powertrains for its passenger cars in the United States, but will continue to produce diesel variants of its Sprinter Vans, Autoblog reports.Photo by Eric Gandarilla.http://www.businessfleet.com/channel/fuel-management/news/story/2018/01/mercedes-benz-halts-diesel-powertrains-for-passenger-cars.aspx